
Class __ 
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i£ 



HISTORY 



AMESBURY 



INCLUDING THE 



FIRST SEVENTEEN YEARS OF SALISBURY, 
TO THE SEPARA TION IN 1654; 

AND 

MERRIMAC 

FROM ITS INCORPORATION IN 187b; 



BY JOSEPH MERRILL. 



i 



HAVERHILL : 

PRESS OF FRANKLIN P. STILES. 

1880. 



J4W r 






Entered according to .Vet of Congress, in the year 18S0, by Joseph 
Merrill, in the office of the librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



t^ 



PREFACE. 

In presenting the following volume the writer does not claim 
that a full and perfect account of the town is given, as at this 
late day it would be impossible to do so. The main object 
has been to preserve all that is now known in regard to the 
history of the town. To gather from all available sources facts 
and items relating to the progress and doings of the town from 
the first few who crossed the Powow river to the present day. 
This has been no easy or hasty task, but has required patient 
labor for long years. For a quarter of a century we have been 
slowly but steadily pursuing this work. The town records and 
documents, which have been in our custody for nearly forty 
years, have been carefully examined, and many private papers, 
diaries, account books and documents of various kinds. The 
old Norfolk county records, also, have been thoroughly exam- 
ined, affording much valuable information. The work is not 
an enticing novel, (although some of it is "stranger than fic- 
tion") but a simple narrative of events as they occurred. Those 
pioneers are allowed to speak for themselves in their own pecu- 
liar language, thus illustrating the early days of the town better 
than modern language could do. We have endeavored to give 
a truthful version of all subjects treated ; but, should errors 
be found, we can truly say that they were not intentional. A 
map of the location of the town at East Salisbury in 1639 is 
given to show the regularity and system with which the colon- 
ists set about their work. 

To the many friends who, by the loan of documents, books, 
diaries and records of various kinds have kindly aided in the 
work, we tender sincere thanks. The interest which they 
manifested has afforded the encouragement which was greatly 
needed. 

Our thanks are especially due to John G. Whittier, Rev. P. 
S. Boyd and Dr. H. G. Leslie, the committee chosen by the 
town to examine the manuscript, for their very favorable report 
and subsequent assistance and encouragement. 

[oseph Merrill. 



CONTENTS. 



1637. 
Remarks on condition of country; Indians; John Bailey and William 
Schooler, their trial for murder and the result. 

1638. 
Plantation granted at Merrimac; Marshes; Fowls and work. 

1639. 
First meeting ; Divisions; Roads and House-lots; Green; System of Divi- 
sion; Public Worship; Named Colchester; Three Meetings; Several fined: 
Goats and swine; Localities; Sweepage Lots, their value; Hummocks. 

1640. 

New Committee ; Great Island to George Carr; Numerous Grants; Line 

next Hampton; Line next Pentucket; Regulation of Meetings; Trees; 

Change of name to Salisbury; Drill master; Indian troubles; Garrison 

house; Mill road; Powow river; Boggie meadows; Andrew Greelie, deputy. 

1641. 
Grant at Great pond; Four-rod way west of Powow river; Road from the 
river northward; Weare point; Jamaco; Road over Ferry hills; Price of 
labor regulated; Year defined; Winter; Summer; Clapboards; Price of; 
Boards; Ferry fees; Price of butter and milk; Grant toward Mill; Regula- 
tion of cattle; Trees; Pipestaves; Mill road; Ox common; Land grants; 
Reprimand of the General Court; Marrying; Committee to run a line next 
Pentucket. 

1642. 
General meeting; Rates: Pipestaves; Fishing in the Powow river restored 
to John Bayly; Ordinary; Church bell; Cutting trees; Grant of sixty acres 
to Abraham Morrill; Grant for fishing on island; Rate; Ammunition; Thirty 
families ordered off; Indians; How the alarm was given; Soldiers: Garrison 
houses; Watches; Bounty for wolves; Powder; Ox common. 

1643. 
Company armed; Where deposited; Ammunition; Order renewed; Public 
charges; Grant to minister; Five hundred acres granted; Fences; Hogs; 
Samuel Hall; Howard chosen; Record of grants; Rate; Town creek; 
Cows; Fences. 

1644. 
New territory ; Joseph Moyce sells house ; Value of land west of Powow 
river; Rate; R. Goodale to hunt; Commissioners to end small cases; Six 
hundred acres to Ward; Watch kept; Saltpeter; J. Haddon sells house. 

1645. 
Authority of Prudential men; Hunting; Fined for cutting trees; Road to 
Little river; Abusive speech of S. Hall; Fences; Rate; Candlewood trees; 



VI HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Beach road; Road west of the Powow river; Ordinary; Meeting-house 
daubed. 

1646. 
R. Blasdell to draw wine; New church: Committee; Rate; Bounty on 
wolves. 

1647. 
School required; Teacher hired; Little river; Fences; Goats; R. North 
rings the bell; |ohn Hoyt sells; Anthony Colby sells; Drawing wine. 

1648. 
Mr. Worcester may cut; Goats; Fences; Wolves; Ferry dispute; Rate: 
Line next Hampton ; Disorder in meeting : Islands; Court grant. 

1649. 
R. Blasdell to keep ordinary; Trees; Staves; Thomas Whicher; Tar ; 
Beach common; Thomas Petitt, freeman; James, Indian; Bill of Orchards; 
Shire town ; Courts held here. 

1650. 
Bounty on wolves; Rate; Fine for voting wrong; Stephen Flanders, towns 
man; Pine for mill ; Canoes; George Martin; John Hoyt. 

1651. 
Mr. Winsley T s grave; Salt pans; Hampton line rate; Giant at Ring's 
island; Vallentine Rowell, townsman ; Philip Challis. 

1652. 
Samuel Groome, townsman: Meeting-house repaired and enlarged; Rate 
Commons; Calling meetings; Edward Cottle, townsman; Meadows laid out 
" Elders Cove " ; Pentucket bounds; John Bayly died; Ship-building; Mill 
Mint; Prison; Comet; Witchcraft; Road from mill bridge. 

1653. 
Town stock of ammunition; Court broken on an alarm of Indians. 

1654. 
General remarks; settlement of Amesbury ; Articles of Agreement ; Sign- 
ers; Territory; Surface; Pond. 

1655. 
Inhabitants; Order of business; Names of inhabitants; Clerk; Staves; 
Number of inhabitants fixed; James George, townsman ; Oaths; First eight- 
een; Cattle; Power of the company; affairs in general. 

1656. 
Destruction of forests forbidden ; Sawmill; To build; Conditions; Depo- 
sition of, Richard Currier; Division of land; Joseph Peasley, townsman; His 
character. 

1657. 
Nathan Gould, townsman ; Haverhill bounds; Hampton line. 

1658. 
Great swamp laid out; Committee; Not done; Lot-layers: Ten acres to 
John Weed; Petition to the General Court; Division beyond the pond; 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. VII 

Lots; Petition not granted; Joseph Peasley preaches; Order of General 
Court; Mortgage of Macy. 

1659. 
Grant to Pike; Road to Buttonwood; Children's land; Names of; Walter 
Taylor, townsman ; Land on river; Joseph Peasley; Opposition to attending 
meeting in old town; Mr. Worcester at new town; Peasley foi-bidden to 
preach; Reasons for; Thomas Macy; Fined; Letter of; Flees to Nantucket; 
Whittier's poem. 

1660. 
Cattle, regulation of; Townships to sons; Bounty on wolves; Indians; 
Petition for new town ; Shubael Dumer ; Courts consent ; Failure of. 

1661. 
Frog pond; Thomas Haynes; Indian grounds; Anthony Colby; Sketch of' 

1662. 
Richard Currier, clerk; George Can", common right; Great swamp; Lion's 
Mouth; Great lots ; Vallentine Rowell; Death of;- Sketch of. 

1663. 
New burying ground enlarged; Golgotha; Five hundred and twenty acres 
given out; Ezekiel Worthen, townsman; Sketch of. 

1664. 
Committee to layout Great swamp; Lots of; Common land; Hampton 
lots; Hollow highway; John Pressey buys at river. 

1665. 
Meeting house built; Size of; Location of; Committee to obtain minis- 
ter; Not successful; Treat with Capt. Pike; Cows on common; Herdsmen. 

1666. 
Minister's salary ; Petition to the General Court for minister and township ; 
R. Currier, agent; Pet granted; Organization of; Townships; R. Goodale; 
Sketch of; Freemen, number of. 

1667. 
Land to several; Dissent; Bridge at G. Martin's; Richard Hubbard, a 
common right; William Hackett, a common right; Trouble with Haverhill; 
John Nash and Thomas Nichols, townsmen; Minister's support; Thomas 
Sargent, townsman ; Town named ; Land for minister ; People seated in the 
meeting-house. 

1668. 
Minister's pay; Name of town; Goodwin's ferry; Four divisions of land; 
George Carr's four hundred acres confirmed; Cattle; Way from mill. 

1669. 
Thomas Stevens and Joseph Lanckester, common rights; Land to minis- 
ter; Committee to purchase house for minister; Mr. Woodbridge ; Efforts 
to obtain a minister ; Sends to Mr. Hobberd; No success; New committee ; 
Obtain Mr. Hubbard ; John Gimson and Joseph Worthen, townsmen ; 
Highway north of river lots ; The ferry ; Dispute about. 



VIII HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1670. 

Commissioners; New meeting; William Carr, townsman; Road and Land- 
ing at Ferry laid out; Cellar on hill. 

1671. 
Firewood to minister; Mr. Hubbard's labors satisfactory; Richard Currier. 

1672. 
Minister's house; Salary raised; Vote against minister; Rev. Thomas 
Wells; Engaged; Salary; Land ; New house ; Committee to build; Delay; 
House not built; Vane lot. 

1673. 
Vote to build repealed; Gives Mr. Wells the Vane lot; Hoyt house; He 
buys land and builds. 

1674. 
Philip Challis' bill of sale; New town book; Committee to revise the 
clerk's book ; Thomas Wells, a townsman. 

1675. 
Meeting illegal; New clerk continued; Rate; Business of town; Island 
in Country pond; People seated; William Sargent; Death of; Sketch. 

1676. 

Division into wards; Watches; Indians; Forts; Location of; People 
armed; Line next New Hampshire ; Night; Regulations. 

1677. 

Eastern Indians; Murder in town ; Weed family; Robert Quinby; Death 
of; Sketch. 

1678. 
Controversy with the minister; Committee to settle; Public house. 

1679. 
Lecture ordered; Rates; Jurors; Lawsuit; Samuel Foot, agent. 

1680. 
Mr. Wells' salary increased. 

1681. 
General renewal of bounds ordered; To be recorded. 

1682. 
Officers unwilling to serve; Committee to lay out Peke land; Deposition 
about saw mill. 

1683. 
Meeting-house lot enlarged; Minister's land to be sold or let. 

1684. 
Thomas Rowell ; Death of; Sketch ; Edmund Elliott ; Death of; Sketch 
of; Where lived. 

1685. 
Main road renewed ; Return of ; Committee. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IX 

1686. 
Mr. Wells' salary; Births, marriages and deaths; Registration of; First 
book; George Martin; Death of; Sketch of. 

1687. 
Committee to seat persons in the meeting-house; Bounty on wolves; 
Indians; Richard Currier; Death of; Sketch of; Walter Taylor; Death 
of; Sketch of; Thomas Jewell. 

16S8. 
Opposition to Mr. Wells; JohnHoyt; Death of; Sketch of; Jarret Had- 
don; Death of; Sketch of. 

1689. 
Samuel Colby, representative; Selectmen to report; Trouble with Mr. 
Wells; Royal commission; Opposed by the town; Vote on; Treatment of 
Mr. Wells; John Weed; Death of; Sketch of; Widow William Hunting- 
ton; Death of; Sketch of. 

1690. 
Indian troubles; "frountere towne " ; Petition granted; Edward Cottle: 
JohnHoyt; ^50 to the minister; Samuel Foot; Death of; Sketch of. 

1691. 
Minister's salary continued; John Hoyt, jr.; Death of; Sketch of; Thomas 
Hoyt; Death of; Sketch of; Mary Blasdell; Death of ; Indians. 

1692. 
Road over Ferry hill; Pay for; Treatment of Mr. Wells again; His 
reply; Assent to conditions of; Susannah Martin; Trial as a witch; Convic- 
tion; Execution of; Reflections. 

1693. 
Tything men; Office described; Representative; School-masters; Grant 
to Francis Davis; John Martin; Death of; Sketch of. 

1694. 
Mr. Wells, school-master; Scholars; Qualifications of; Indians; Murder 

of Joseph Pike and Long; Location of Indian relics. 

1695. 
Town meetings; Attendance on; Cutting trees; Care of common; valua- 
tion taken; Widow died. 

» 1696. 
Mr. Wells, school-master; Bounty repealed; Indian murders; John Hoyt 
and Mr. Peters killed; Sketch of; Imprisoned; Petition of; Haverhill, 
descent upon; Road at Cobler's brook.; Jamaco house. 

1697. 
Mr. Wells' pew; Petition for; Meeting-house; Foot's garrison. 

1698. 
William Barnes; Death of; Sketch of; Children. 

1699. 
Galleries in meeting-house; Repairs: Appropriation for; Room granted; 



X HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Haverhill line; Prosecution of; Traditions of East Meadows; Schools; 
Appropriation for. 

1700. 
Review of past; Lecture; Controversy with Major Pike; Letter of; ■ 
Action of town : Remarks ; Sketch of. 

1701. 
Mrs. Orlando Bagley's death; Friends' treatment; Compelled to pay for 
preaching; Vessel registered. 

1702. 
School law; Free school; The system; Gallery room in meeting-house 
granted to Mary Currier and others; Their marriage; Susanna Frame; 
Friends compelled to pay the Minister's tax. 

1703. 
Commoner's organization; Their action; Second meeting; Davis family; 
Elizabeth Colby leave to build pew; Suit of Richard Martin; Land near 
Moses Merrill's laid out; Right to vote; Francis Davis; John Davis; How- 
ard; Thomas Challis; Hunt's lane; Friends; Vessel built. 

1704. 
School-master; Tanning; Rates; Ringing bell; Quaker's dissent; Indians 
and John Collins; Vessel built. 

1705. 
Road given up; Landing; Danger from Indians; Schools; meeting at 
Jamaco; Roads; Their condition; Highway at James' creek; Robert Ring; 
Death of; Mary Currier; Death of; Friends; Friends' meeting-house; 
Friends' marriages. 

1706. 
Rate for schools; Meeting at Jamaco; Thomas Sargent; Death of; Sketch 
of; Death of the Weed family; Disease; Reflections; Friends and John 
Cazer. 

1707. 
Pound ordered; School dames; Two masters; Schools; Constables resign ; 
John Pressey; Death of; John Collins. 

1708. 
Road ordered near John Challis' ; Fulling jnill ; Commoner's grants ; Con- 
stables prosecuted. 

1709. 
Pound at Pond plain; Burying ground fenced; Teachers; Commoners' 
meetings; Result; Six-rod highway fenced in ; Trouble with John Whitcher. 

1710. 
Trouble with Col. March; Suit of Joshua Bayly; Commoners' rights; 
Ironworks; Vessels at Jamaco; ,£30 for schools; Brand cattle; John Kim- 
ball; Death of; Sketch of; Ebenezer Blasdell ; Death of; Sketch of; Fran- 
cis Davis; Death of. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XI 

1711. 

Meeting at Jamaco; School-master; Schools, where kept ; Road narrowed. 

1712. 
Dam at Pond's mouth; Thomas Currier; Death of; Sketch of; New clerk. 

1713. 
Schools; Wolves; Bounty on; Line next Kingstown ; Territory. 

1714. 
Meeting-house; Repairs of; New house; Two; Opposition; First one to 
be built at Pond Plain; Arch built; Schools; Thomas Harvey; Death of: 
Sketch of; Friends grant meetings to Newbury and Haverhill. 

1715. 
"Clerk of ye market "; Duties; Meeting-house at parsonage; Dimensions 
of; Committee to build; ^150 raised; Meeting-house at Jamaco; Remarks. 

1716. 
Land for minister ; Bounty on wolves ; School-house lot; Given the town; 
School-house ordered; School-master; John Challis' taxes; Deaths. 

1717. 
Town meeting; Adjournment of; School-house to be finished; Teachers; 
Meeting-house; not completed; Old meeting-house given to Mr. Wells; 
Petition of Mr. Wells granted. 

1718. 
John Barnard; Death of; Sketch of. 

1719. 
Constables; Bounds of land; Samuel Weed; Ancient; John Colby; Death 
of; West school-house. 

1720. 
Money for expenses; Petition of Gideon Lowell; Petition of Richard Cur- 
rier; Schools. 

1721. 
Constable's bond; Hunt's road; Regulation of hogs; Bills of credit; 
Meetings at Jamaco; Meeting-house vote reconsidered; Meeting-house 
ordered; Opposition; Location of. 

1722. 
Town prosecuted for want of school; Plighway to Kingstown; Schools; 
Annual meeting; Location of Meeting-house; Indian raids; Traditions; 
Way to Kingstown; Colleague for Mr. Wells; Petition of Elizabeth Colby. 

1723. 
Representative; Landing at Nichols' creek; Road to Swett's ferry; 
Thomas Barnard; Death of; Sketch of; Joseph Kimball; Death of. 

1724. 
West meeting-house; Assignment of pews; Support of Minister; How 
furnished; Division into parishes; Confirmation defeated; Rice Edwards' 
petition; Thomas Nichols; Death of; Sketch of. 



XII HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1725. 
Wharf granted; Disagreeing about parish matters; Line established; 
Parsonage divided; Confirmation agreed to; School. 

1726. 
Representative; Division of county; Object of; Church organization at 
Jamaco; Account of ; List of tax payers there; First minister. 

1727. 
Burying place at Pond Plain; Province rates; How paid; Prices; No 
trees cut; Thomas Fowler; Death of; Sketch of; Earthquake; Mary 
Wells; Death of. 

1728. 
Bills of credit; This town's share; Trustees; Interest; John Bagley; 
Death of. 

1729. 
Hook's ferry; Trouble about; Pay of representative; Thomas Stevens; 
Death of; Sketch of; Thomas Table; Richard Martin; Death of; Sketch 
of; Josiah Bartlett; Nathaniel Brown; Sketch of. 

1730. 
Charter rights; Stocks ordered; Thomas Cottle; Hook's law- suit. 

1731. 
Bridge across the Powow; Dam, also; West parish burying ground; 
School-house; School-master; Training field; First meeting-house. 

1732. 
Hook's ferry; Mr. Wells' pay; His great age. 

1733. 
Record of horses; Ear marks; Sample of; Cattle marks; Division of the 
minister's land. 

1734. 
Petition for school land; Fishing in the Merrimac; Regulation of; 
Thomas Wells; Death of; Sketch of; Edmund March; Mother Balch. 

1735. 
Ferry at Savage rock; Hook's ferry; Trouble about; Division of the 
county; Petition of Henry Flood; Meeting adjourned to Ichabod Colby's; 
Jacob Merrill; Death of; Quakers; Dr. Hale taxed. 

1736. 
Road from Clapboard landing to Cottle's landing; Deaths. 

1737. 
House of correction; Teachers; Pay of; Wolves; Road through Wil- 
liam Moulton's; Damages; Dispute; John Pressy; Death of; Scarcity of 
hay and corn; New Hampshire line; Governor's cavalcade. 

173S. 
Bounty on wolves; £5 offered. 

1739. 
Minister's land; Deer; Meeting-house bell to David Blasdell; John Sar- 
gent, captain; Dr. Huse. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XIII 

1740. 
Tunnel at Fond Ridge; Constable's report; Petition to the king; River 
road. 

1741. 
Poor-house; Leave to build a wharf; Mary Fowler; Non compos; Schools; 
Quakers; Richard Kelley's diary; Hard winter. 

1742. 
Almshouse; Hired; Inmates; Samuel Shepherd, constable; Dismissed. 

1743. 
Workhouse; Ferry at Savage's rock; Weights and measures; Elisha Odlin 
at East parish; Dismissal of Edmund March. 

1744. 
Abraham Merrill; Death of; Sketch of; Cost of ordaining Mr. Odlin; 
Mr. March's dismissal; Cost of; His house, etc.; Captain Currier. 

1745. 
Hannah Bettel; Wants help; Refused; House built for the minister; 
Raising a vessel. 

1746. 
Idle persons; Bounty on wolves; Gideon Lowell's exchange of land; 
Hannah Eettel helped; By-laws passed; "About trees; Town's ammunition; 
Rate ordered; West parish sells parish land. 

1747. 
Task-master; Poor and idle persons; Road fenced in; Soldiers at Cape 
Breton; Churchmen; Black child; Brick-yard at Buttonwood; Deaths in 
the Kelley family. 

1748. 
Poor boarded out; Foot stoves; Description of; Exchange of road over 
Baley's hill; Landing described; Mill at Buttonwood. 

1749. 
Burying ground to be fenced; Town charges; Frog pond, etc. 

1750. 
Selectmen's salary; Their power; Jonathan Bagley's wharf; Bridge over 
Powow at Ferry; Lime kiln; At Ferry; Spindle of meeting-house. 

1751. 
William Challis fined; Caused trouble; Change of calendar; Military 
companies; Ship-yard wanted. 

1752. 
Rev. Elisha Odlin died; Gift to widow; Church dismissions. 

1753. 
Schools; Hook's ferry; Landings; Buttonwood brick-yarrd; Dr. Rogers; 
Death of; Patience Weed; Kimballs. , 

1754. 
New clerk; Committee to deliver books; Excise duties; Vetoed; Thanks 
to governor; East parish ministers; Mr. Hibbert. 



XIV HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1755. 
New road; Earthquake; Severe shock; Continual; Enlistment to Kenne- 
bec, Minis and Crown Point. 

1756. 
French and Indian wars; Soldiers called for; Captain Worthen; His com- 
pany; Enlistments; Orlando Bagley; Death of; Sketch of; Braddock's 
campaign; French people brought here. 

1757. 
Town has no grammar school; Prosecuted; Sandy Hill meeting-house lot 
David Blaisdell; Death of; Sketch of; Church dismissions at West parish 
Capt. Kelley; Soldiers for Lake George; Soldiers drafted; Marched 
Returned; Alarm; Ammunition. 

t 1758. 

Poor; Ship-building; French people; Haverhill line; Lord Loudon's 
forces; Soldiers for; Names of. 

1759. 
Repairing of roads; French and Indian war; Soldiers and laborers; New 
school-house. 

1760. 
Appropriations; Petition of William Whittier; List of persons; Small- 
pox; Poor persons; Town meeting; Adjourned; Quaker tax document; 
Depositions of Enoch and Daniel Flanders. 

1761. 
Appropriations; Removal of courts; Small-pox accounts; Yet in town; 
House to be built; Nursing expenses; O. Badger's petition; Meeting-house; 
Removal of; Account of; Poor and idle persons; Committee's report. 

1762. 
Landings; Ship-yard; Appropriations; Widow Mattes; Widow Timothy 
Colby; Order to; Ferry road denned; Hour glass. 

1763. 
Work-house; Pest-house to be taken; No action. 

1764. 
Savage's Rock ferry removed; Appropriations; New road refused. 

1765. 
Fishing; The poor; Weavers; Peter Dulosh; Sleds; Regulation of. 

1766. 
Annual meeting; Samuel Shepherd; Hook's ferry continued. 

1767. 
Appropriations; Burying ground; The ferry; French people; Moses 
Chase's petition; Granted land; Marchant Cleaves; Tailor's shop; Tax on 
tea, etc. 

1768. 
Ferry school-house; Taxes unpaid; Widow Mariner; Vagabond; Differ- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XV 

ent views; Mulatto child; Appropriations; Land to Ichabod March; Earth- 
quake; Boston convention; Not attended. 

1769. 
Schools; Men drowned on the bar; Names of; Soldiers. 

1770. 
Peter Dulosh; John Barnard; Death of; Sketch of; Colony tax. 

1771. 
Address to the governor; Eli Gale's shop; Timothy Barnard's wharf; 
William H. Ballard; Joseph Currier; Invoice of West Parish. 

1772. 
New pound; Appropriation; Meeting-house. 

1773. 
Tornado; Effects of; Great destruction of property. 

1774. 
Appropriations; John Bagley; Sketch of; Preparations for open resistance; 
Provincial Congress; Minute men; Taxes not paid; Warning out; Capt. R- 
Kelley; Death of; Sketch of; James Rowell drowned. 

1775. 
Representative to the Provincial Congress; Continental Congress; Vot 
to be recorded; Minute men; Stock; Course of town; Minute men; Taxes; 
Pay of minute men; Hire money; Representative to Provincial Congress; 
Sinking a pier; Enlisting papers; The cause; Rations; Clothing; Capt. 
Currier's petition; Table of casualties; Orders, etc. ; Capt. Ballard. 

1776. 
Committee of safety; New regiment; Dissatisfaction; British vessels; 
Fort; Independence; Declaration of; Bounties; Men; Enlistments; Calls; 
Small-pox; Population; Josiah Bartlett. 

1777.- 
Effects of war; Arms and ammunition; Depreciation; Calls; Bounty; Mrs. 
Goodrich; Burgoyne captured; Instructions to representative; Capt. Pils- 
bury; Death of; Sketch of. 

1778. 
Soldiers; Pay of; Men called for; Bounties; Calls; Town prosecuted for 
want of school; School established; Calls; Appropriations; Help from 
France. 

1779. 
Currency; Depreciation of; New constitution; Delegates; Prices poor; 
Stacker's house; Charles Weed's house; Call. 

1780. 
Committee of safety; New government; Third article rejected; Adoption; 
Call; Appropriation; Beef; Town meeting; Loans by women ; Col. Bagley; 
Death of; Sketch of; Dark period; Winter; Dark day. 

1781. 
Town report; Call; School-house; Town debt; Investigation; Procure 
men; Beef; Men; Pay of; Population; Militia. 



XVI HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

17S2. 
Amesbury ferry; Call; Valuation; Money; Fishery. 

17S3. 
Hard times; Selectmen's accounts; Law-suits; Patriotism; Tories. 

1784. 
Road from Ferry to Clapboard landing; Road from Thomas Rowell's to 
Moses Sargent's; Difficulty with Mr. Hibbert; New meeting-house; New 
society; Benjamin Bell. 

17SS. 
Set off to New Hampshire; Militia; Ice and snow; Moses Chase's shop; 
New house for minister. 

17S6. 
Mr. Hibbert; Presbyterian society; Opposition to; Almshouse; Negroes; 
River road; Opposition; Settlement with Mr. Hibbert; Shay's rebellion; 
Soldiers; Law-suit at West parish; Sale of land. 

1787. 
Soldier's pay; Instructions to representative; Appropriations; Guns, etc. 
River road; New meeting-house in the West parish. 

17S8. 
Appropriations; New valuation; First presidential election; Oil mill; Flax. 

1789. 
Governor's election; Inauguration of Washington; At Amesbury; Tradi- 
tion; F. Welch ordained at Second parish. 

1790. 
Schools; Appropriations; Bridge over Goodwin's creek. 

1791. 
Appropriations; Poor; Schools; Bridge over the Merrimac; Canal. 

1792. 
Collection of taxes; Presidential election; Appropriations; E. M. bridge 
chartered; Mill, leave for. 

1793. 
Appropriations; Small-pox; Alarm; Roads; Francis Welch; Death of. 

1794. 
Small-pox; Moody; Death of; Soldiers; Provisions for; Powow river 
bridge; Joseph Wingate; E. Cleaveland; Deed; Artillery company. 

1795. 
Appropriations; Powow river bridge; Burying place; Road straightened 
Revisal of the constitution; Tornado. 

1796. 
Road petition; Treaty; Fishing; Mills bridge; School money; The vote 
for governor; Presbyterian society; Poor; Ferry school-house; Master. 

1797. 
Appropriations; Representative to Congress; School districts; Poor; 
Grant of land; Presbyterian society. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XVII 

1798. 
Appropriations; New road at Indian creek; State election; Address to 
the president; Winter; Dog tax. 

1799. 
Washington; Death of; E. Hull; Stephen Hull ordained; Repairs of the 
East parish meeting-ho,use. 

1800. 
Repairs of East parish meeting-house; Tax; Rev. David Smith dismissed; 
Land to Eli Gale and William Goodrich; Dr. Weld; Teachers; Pound 
re-built; Small-pox; Carriage business. 

1801. 
Elections; East parish meeting-house repairs; Trouble of; Committee sus- 
tained; Mills school tax; Death of John Sawyer; Teachers. 

1802. 
Road to Davis' mill; Great storm; Stephen Hull ordained; Tything men; 
Sandy Hill meeting-house; Isaac Merrill killed by lightning; William Lur- 
vey, death of; School-house tax in the West Parish; Powder house; Mate- 
rials of. 

1S03. 
Road at Davis' mill; Exchange of; Schools; Episcopalians; Orlando Sar- 
gent; Death of; Ichabod March; Death of; Ferry school tax; Teachers. 

1804. 
Boor; Fence burying ground; Election; Academy; Samuel Mead settled 
by Second church; Pleasant Valley school tax; Pond Hills school tax. 

1805. 
Academy raised; Fire at Mills; Susannah Goodwin; Samuel Ordway; 
Death of. 

1806. 
Eclipse; Men drowned; Judith Colby; Death of; Capt. John Currier; 
Death of. 

1807. 

/ 
Capt. Barnard Lowell; Death of; Six men drowned in the Merrimac. 

1808. 
Embargo; Petition about; Tempest; Capt. Robert Sargent; Death of; 
Col. Isaac Whittier; Death of; Levi Blaisdell drowned. 

1809. 
Deaths of aged persons, viz. : Widow Lurvey, Moses Goodwin, Isaac Ran- 
dall and Dr. Nathan Huse. 

1810. 
Appropriations; Ship-building; Ferry bakery burnt; Anna Cottle; Death 
of. 

1811. 
Highway district changed; Newburyport pier; Help from Amesbury. 



XVIII HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1812. 
Soldiers provided for; Engine men; Stephen Hull dismissed; Isaac Hunt- 
ington; Death of; War declared; Militia; Drill of ; Factory built. 

1813. 
Soldiers' pay; Judith Bagley; Death of; Sketch of; Factory at Mills. 

1814. 
Soldier's pay; Poor-house; Spotted fever; Capt. Richard Hoyt; Death 
of; Sarah Sargent; Death of; Deacon Obadiah Colby; Death of; Benjamin 
Sawyer; Soldiers. 

1815. 
September gale; Rum for funerals; Capt. Abner Lowell; Death of. 

1816. 
Separation from Massachusetts; B. Sawyer installed; Widow Randall died; 
Deacon Willis Patten; Death of; Peter; Death of ; Frost; Pottery. 

1817. 
Brigade muster; President Monroe at Ferry; Hannah Hunt; Death of. 

1818. 
Iron and Nail factory; Change of meetings; Daniel Weed, collector; 
Rocks bridge carried away; Benjamin Lurvey, Esq. ; Death of; Sketch of. 

1819. 
Discount; New school district ; Moses Welch ordained; Marchant Cleaves; 
Death of. 

1820. 
Appropriations; Presidential election. 

1821. 
Thomas Huntington drowned; Foul play. 

1822. 
Thomas Huntington found; Warren lodge; Pond flowed; Right pur- 
chased; Amesbury Flannel Company. 

1823. 
General muster; Pegg; Death of; John Blaisdell drowned. 

1824. 
Common land sold; Mills landing sold; Bridge at Ferry; Presidential 
election; General LaFayette; Dr. French; Death. of . 

1825. 
Soldiers' pay; Road at Ramsey's; Disposition of poor; Dr. Towle; Major 
Thomas Hoyt; Death of; New mill. 

1826. 
New county; Alice Colby's house; Pressey's bridge; Bagley boys; Peter 
S. Eaton, pastor of the Second church; John Huntington; Death of. 

1827. 
Newburyport bridge; Deer island bridge breaks down; Ferry at Patten's 
creek; Episcopal church. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XIX 

1828. 
Congregational society at the Mills; Rev. David Damon; Road at Indian 
creek; Savings bank. 

1829. 
River highway district; Break-water; First steamer. 

1830. 
Appropriations; East burying ground; Survey of town; School district 
No. 9; Division of; Representative contest; Christopher Sargent; Death of; 
Sketch of. 

1831. 
School committee; Pay of; William Nichols, senator; Middle road peti- 
tioned for; Break-water; Jacob Bagley Currier; Death of; Ephraim Weed; 
Death of; Congregational church at the Mills organized. 

1832. 
Middle road laid out; Cholera; Cautionary measures; Presidential elec- 
tion; Dr. Towle; Death of; Barn burnt. 

1833. 
Elijah Weed's house; Joseph Boardman; Death of; Support of preaching; 
Meteors. 

1834. 
No liquor sold; School money; B. R. Hutchinson drowned; Silk culture; 
J. H. Town at Congregational church at Mills; Crops in town. 

1835. 
River road; William Huntington; Death of; Meeting-house at Point; 
Rev. Benjamin Bell; Death of ; Steamer on the Merrimac; Rev. B. Sawyer 
resigns. 

1836. 
Stone bridge at the Mills; River road widened; Bailey's dam; Estate of 
Aaron Colby; Presidential election; Universalist meeting-house at West 
Amesbury; Ferry school-house fence; Primas Hale; Death of; Sketch of; 
New meeting-house; Rev. J. H. Town dismissed; Powow River bank; 
St. James church; Rev. S. H. Keeler; J. G. Whittier; Small-pox. 

1837. 
River road to be worked; River school district divided; Surplus revenue; 
Contest of; Hearses; P. S. Eaton dismissed; Universalist society at West 
Amesbury; Shoemaking; Rev. C. C. Taylor at Episcopal church; Rev. L. 
W. Clark. 

1838. 
Surplus revenue; Contest of; Rev. J. B. Hadley at Point; Joseph Stock- 
man drowned; Sketch of. 

1S39. 
Daniel Weed; Death of; Sketch of; John Blaisdell; Death of; Sketch 
of; Capt. Vallentine Bagley; Death of; Sketch of; New school-house at 
River; New meeting-house at West Amesbury; Rev. J. S. B arr y at Univer- 
salist society at West Amesbury; Rev. S. H. Keeler dismissed. 



XX HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1840. 

Appropriations; Poor-farm; Town house; White Hall road; Essex 
bridge; Presidential election; Rev. S. H. Merrill installed at the Mills; J. 
H. Davis' school at the Academy; Spire to the Congregational church; 
Population. 

1841. 
New road from pound; Rev. J. J. Locke; Rev. Silas Blaisdell; Death of; 
Enoch Wells. 

1842. 
Poor-farm sold; Men drowned; Rev. L. W. Clark dismissed; Rev. H. B. 
Smith installed ; Congregational bell. 

1843. 
Townhouse; Little Salisbury; Railroads; Powow bridge at Ferry re-built ; 
Rev. G. G. Strickland; House burnt; Remarks. 

1844. 
Political parties; New clerk; Rev. S. H. Merrill dismissed; J. H. Mor- 
dough; D. Gorden Estes. 

1845. 
Road from Bear hill to pond; White Hall road; Universalist society incor- 
porated at the Mills; G. G. Strickland, pastor; Planing machine. 

1846. 
Railroads; Not built; Stephen Kendrick, sexton ; Episcopal church. 

1847. 
Burying grounds ; New highway widened ; New town ; Opposition ; Com- 
mittee to oppose; Defeat of; H. B. Smith; S. C. Hewit. 

1848. 
Police; By-laws and dogs; Poor-farm; Committee chosen; Sandy Hill 
meeting-house ; Remarks relating to ; Rev. Albert Paine ; West Amesbury 
Manufacturing Company. 

1849. ■ 
Poor-farm; Purchase of; Rev. E. Howe ; Rev. Josiah Gilman; Free Bap- 
tist meeting-house. 

1850. 
Appropriations; Ship-building; Fire engines; House burnt; Rev. Rufus 
King; Rev. W. Williams; J. H. Davis; New school-house; Friends' meet- 
ing-house. 

1851. 
Bailey's mill; Washed away; Constitutional convention; Wheel Factory 
road; C. L. Rowell's road; William H. Haskell's road; Great storm; But- 
tonwood tree; Ferry school-house built; Rev. H. P. Cutting. 

1852. 
Dog law; Strike at the Mills; Operatives sustained ; Town action; Presi- 
dential election; Rev. J. Davenport; Rev. Benjamin Austin; Rev. J. E. 
Pomfret ; Alfred Bailey's carpenter shop. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XXI 

1853. 
Constitutional convention; Jonathan Nayson, delegate; Votes on; Car- 
riage business at the Mills ; Rev. Rufus King. 

1854. 
Collector's pay; Town landing sold; Bear Hill road; New location; Rev. 
Albert Paine; Rev. Leander Thompson. 

1855. 
Deed of town landing; Proceeds of; Dispute about; Amendments to the 
Constitution ; Plurality system ; Rev. Robert Chase. 

1856. 
Essex Merrimac bridge ;. Charter of; Know Nothings; Presidential elec- 
tion ; Rev. W. P. Colby; Rev. A. C. Childs; Agricultural society. 

1857. 
Apportionment of school money; Constitutional amendments; Adopted; 
Fishing in the Merrimac; Lawrence dam; Fishing grounds; Fish; Hezekiah 
Challis; Salisbury Mills; Post-office at South Amesbury. 

1858. 
Rev. C. Damon; -Rev. A. C. Childs; Rev. D. G. Estes ; Robert Patten, 
Esq.; Dr. Balch; M. D. F. Steere. 

1859. 
High school; Road at Patten's creek; School district defined; High school. 

1860. 
Appropriations; High school; E. G. Colby, Esq.; O. S. Bayley, Esq.; 
New street; Rev. T. D. P. Stone ; Small-pox; Population. 

1861. 
Rebellion; Town meeting; Resolutions; Pay of volunteers; Enthusiasm 
of the people; Call for soldiers; Company formed; Dr. Atkinson; Death of. 

1862. 
Peter Colby's cemetery; Call for soldiers; Bounty; Additional bounty; 
Nine-month's men; Bounty; Powow bridge; Rev. T. D. P. Stone; Rev. 
G. E. Freeman; Boys drowned; Nail factory; Jonathan Morrill; Death of. 

1863. 
Town bonds; Fire district; Almshouse enlarged; Landing sold; Recruit- 
ing committee; Rev. P. S. Eaton; Death of; Wharf at South Amesbury; 
Manufacturing business; Hollow mill; Lowell Bagley, Esq.; Death of; 
Amesbury Hat Company; Mills high school building. 

1864. 
Hearses; By-laws; Recruits; Bounty; Draft; Men drafted; Recruiting; 
Cemetery sold; Presidential election; $10,000 for recruiting; A.L.Bailey's 
wharf; Unite towns; Failure of; Horse railroad; Horton Hat Company; 
National bank. 

1865. 
Roads accepted; Hose; By-laws; Rebellion; Ended; Number of sol- 
diers furnished; Officers; Catholic church; Rev. E. A. Rand. 



XXII HISTORY OF AMKSBURY. 

1866. 
High schools; East burying ground enlarged; Hose; Congregational 
church dedicated; Horton Hat company sold out. 

1867. 
Greenwood ^street; Fall election; Rev. L.Thompson; Rev. E. A. Hand; 
Baptist church; Rev. John Brady. 

1868. 
Aubin street; Ferry landing; Woodland sold; Pasture bought; East cem- 
etery enlarged by commissioners; Road straightened at Bolser's; Free 
bridges; Rev. L. Gregory; Rev. W. H. Kling; New school-house; West 
Amesbury railroad; William Nichols; Death of. 

1869. 

School district; New school-house; Railroad; Town may subscribe; 
Academy incorporated; Rev. W. F. Potter; Baptist meeting-house; New 
post-office building; Carriage factory burned. 

1870. 
Appropriations; Ferry school-house; Cattle disease; Baptist meeting- 
house dedicated; Capt. Currier's house; Store removed; Death of A. I.. 
Bailey; Fire at West Amesbury. 

1871. 
Roads accepted; Hose; Fire district; Rev. N. R. Wright; Rev. P. S. 
Boyd; Rev. W. H. Kling; Death of Thomas Bailey; Fire district; Earth- 
quake. 

1872. 
Road commissioners; Truant Laws; Presidential election; Engine house 
painted; Rev. E. M. Bartlett; Rev. S. S. Spear; Opera hall; Gardner dam. 

1873. 
Road commissioners; Street accepted; Friend street school-house; Rail- 
road; Subscription to; Town house burned; Town meeting; Where held; 
Representative election; Rev. W. D. Corkin; New Catholic church; Foun- 
dation laid; Small-pox; Axle factory; Christian society. 

1874. • 
Death of Dr. Sparhawk ; Soldiers' monument. 

1875. 
Appropriations; Rev. L. Gregory dismissed. 

1876. 
Division of the town; Salisbury Mills stop. 

1877. 
Depression of business; Death of E. M. Huntington. 

1878. 
New hat factory; Salisbury Mills sold; Hail storm; E. H. Rowell. 

1879. 
Dr. Dearborn; Death of; High school graduates. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. XXIII 

1880. 
Jonathan Nayson; Death of; Sketch of; Death of Dr. McAllister; Essex 
mills sold; Rev. N. Lasell; Death of; Remarks. 

GENERAL MATTERS. 

Post-office sketch; Statistics of carriage business; Wheel Factory; Biddle 
& Company; Merrimac Hat Company; Amesbury and Salisbury express; 
Savings bank; Powow River National bank; Academy; Insurance company; 
E. P. Wallace Post, Grand Army; Reform Club; Old Ladies' Home; War- 
ren Lodge of Masons; Trinity Chapter of Masons; Odd Fellows; Har- 
mony Encampment of Odd Fellows; Knights of Honor; Knights of Pythias; 
Endowment Rank; McHale Association; Temple of Honor; Fire District; 
Hose Company; Hook and Ladder Company; Engine Company; Agricul- 
tural Society; Veteran Artillery; Religious societies; Physicians; Dentists; 
Lawyer; Trial Justices; Town officers. 



MERRIMAC. 



1876. 
Incorporation of; W. P. Sargent; Public meetings; Consent of Ames- 
bury; Boundary line ; Choice of town officers; Town Hall; Location of; 
Lot; Purchasers of; Corner stone laid; Description of Hall; Dedication; 
Sketch of W. P. Sargent; Library; Dr. Nichols' donation; Trustees of 
Library; Town considered; Manufactures; Meeting-houses; School-houses 
and schools; Remarks; Surface of the town; Tanning business; Library 
dedicated; Sketch of Dr. Nichols; Rev. W. H. Hubbard; Hotel; Con- 
gregational society; House burnt; Capt. J. W. Sargent; J. S. Poyen; Post- 
offices; Carriage business; National bank; Savings bank; Merrimac Man- 
ufacturing Company; Merino Shoe Company; Axle factory; Railroad; 
Niagara Engine Company; Fire District; Agile Engine Company; Bethany 
Lodge of Masons; Grand Army; Odd Fellows; Temperance Reform Club; 
Christian Association; Clergymen; Physicians; Dentist; Trial Justice; 
Lawyer; Selectmen; School committee; Town clerk; Treasurer; Collec- 
tor; High school teacher. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



TWO and a half centuries since, and the territory through 
which the beautiful Merrimac winds its way to the ocean, 
was in the strictest sense a wilderness. From its source to its 
mouth, excepting a few savages who had survived the plague, 
not a human being was found to enjoy its beauties or feast on 
its bounties. But in the dim past the red man had hunted 
and fished here and held high carnival on the banks of this 
placid stream. Its abundance of fish and clams afforded an 
inexhaustable supply to the local tribes and others which occa- 
sionally resorted hither. Along the banks of the Merrimac the 
Indians delighted to dwell, and when the Great Chief Passacon- 
away paid his visits, we may well imagine that their greatest war 
dances were celebrated. In Amesbury and Salisbury there were 
found abundant evidences of their settlements in the various relics 
and extensive shell mounds. 

It was fortunate for the first settlers, who so fearlessly ventured 
into the forests along the coast, that few Indians remained to 
assert their rights and inflict their brutal revenge. The condition 
of the country must have rendered these pioneers easy victims 
to the red men, and the probability is that no settlement could 
have been made a century previous to the plague. 

The general aspect of the country cannot, perhaps, be better 
described than in the language of an ancient historian who wrote 
about 1700, when it is possible that some of the first settlers 
were yet living. The historian says "When the English first 
landed on the coast, the country looked like one vast wood, the 
Indians having only cleared here and there a small patch of ground 
for planting corn ; but upon a narrower survey they found every 
three or four miles a fruitful valley with a clear, fresh rivulet or 



2 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

brook gliding through it, and these again were surrounded with 
vast woody hills, which afforded a very agreeable prospect." This 
tradition was no doubt in the main correct, but since the decima- 
tion of the Indians by some disease about which there are 
various opinions, (some believing it to have been small pox, 
others pronouncing it yellow fever) the planting grounds had 
been neglected, and to some extent grown to weeds. There 
were, however, openings, clear spots and shining rivulets, and 
also vast woods, some old, decaying and broken into fragments, 
scattered in wild profusion ; woods towering aloft with gigantic 
trunks ripe for the "woodman's axe" ; woods in the prime of 
life, vigorous and of the brightest foliage ; woods just springing 
above the decayed growth of former centuries, covering the hills 
and most of the valleys in such abundance that our ancestors 
found it convenient to build huge fireplaces, something like eight 
feet long and four feet deep. 

Dismal and gloomy must have been the outlook as approach- 
ing night settled over this wilderness, enshrouding the land in 
darkness. Oft was the solemn stillness broken by the sharp bark 
of the fox or the more frightful howl of the hungry wolf which 
roamed the woods undisturbed. Over this wild land which had 
hitherto been but little better than "a solitary waste", the sun 
had not failed to rise in all its usual splendor, the moon had 
shed her pale light as at present, the snows of thousands of 
winters had come and gone, spring had revived, herb and plant, 
clothing the trees with beautiful green. Summer had not failed 
to bring forth flower and fruit, nor had autumn forgotten to 
tinge with purple and gold the forest leaves. The streams had 
meandered through their long worn channels in the meadows 
and by the hill sides, unused and unappreciated. 

There were none to admire the beauties of nature or turn 
her wonderful resources to account. The land was simply the 
hunting grounds of the various tribes who dwelt in the vicinity 
or resorted to this famous locality for hunting and fishing. Wild 
beasts of various kinds, and birds of many species, had for 
unknown ages dwelt in comparative safety, strangers to the sharp 
crack of the hunter's fowling piece. Ages before our ancestors 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 3 

climbed the famous Powow, the Indians held their Powows on 
its top and there celebrated their victories by their hilarious war 
dance. The surrounding hills were lighted by their camp-fires 
for centuries before Columbus was born or imagination had 
conjured up a western continent. Wild deer after quenching 
their thirst at the fountains which burst forth in the meadows, 
where they fed in the tall grass, reposed in the shady groves or 
wandered in herds over the hills, "the loud bark of the raccoon 
was heard everywhere, and droves of voracious wolves roamed 
the woods, trotting like dogs." Thus wild and strange was this 
unknown land when the white man came. 

No trace of pre-historic civilization was found, nor could the 
origin of the red man be traced. He was here, but whence 
he came, where he originated — Phoenicia, Scythia, China or Tar- 
tary — is a question hard of solution, and we only know that the 
earliest discoveries have found him everywhere. 

The plains were their corn-fields, where the shining grain had 
been deposited under the spear-turned sod ; their canoes glided 
quietly over the beautiful waters of the Merrimac and Powow 
as years came and went ; nor did "*Attitash" refuse the shining 
pickerel and perch for their feasts. Ocean and rivers abounded 
with fish and clams, the forest with game, and enough was readily 
obtained with their simple instruments to satisfy their wants. 
Their houses were built of the branches of trees in summer and 
skins of wild beasts in winter. 

They were following in the steps of their ancestors, who had 
gone towards the setting sun and were now in the happy 
hunting ground ; dreaming of no intrusion unless from some of 
their warlike neighbors who occasionally surprised them by the 
startling warwhoop, when the white man suddenly appeared in 
their midst. 

For a while they hardly knew whether these strange comers 
were friends or foes, and their friendliness was far more deserving 
of the name than at a later period. For many years these 
pioneers lived a life of anything but pleasure, "and their de- 
scendants can have but a faint idea of the difficulties they 
encountered, and of the dangers that continually hung over their 

*Indian name for Kimball's Pond. 



4 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

heads, threatening every moment to overwhelm them like a 
torrent, and sweep them with those whom they dearly loved, to 
the silent tomb." 

Almost every man was a soldier ; and many who lived in 
remote parts of the town "*were obliged to flee with their fam- 
ilies to the garrison at night." 

In less than eighteen years from the landing of the Pilgrims 
at Plymouth, the eastern coast of Massachusetts, including that 
part now within the lines of Maine, had been explored with a 
view to settlement, and many plantations located. The spirit of 
adventure, a desire to know more of this strange land seems to 
have urged these strangers forward into the wilderness far beyond 
the bounds of safety. Small companies detached themselves from 
the principal settlements, forming independent plantations on 
every favorable spot along the coast, claiming and appropriating 
the land in their vicinity. 

Little thought seems to have been bestowed on any claims 
which the Indians might have to the territory by virtue of peace- 
able possession for long ages. In some instances, however, after 
taking possession, the rights of the Indians were purchased, as 
in the case of Haverhill, where the settlement was made in 1 640 
and the territory purchased of the Indian Chiefs Passagus and 
Saggahew on the 15th of Nov., 1642. It is not, however, our 
purpose to discuss the propriety of this course, but to note care- 
fully such facts as may throw some light on things which trans- 
pired in those early days. 

There were many tribes of Indians in New England, but the 
Naumkeaks were the principal inhabitants of the territory now 
known as the County of Essex. After the settlement of Salem 
in 1628, other plantations were soon made to the eastward : 
Ipswich, "Newberry", Merrimac and Hampton within ten years. 
Newbury was begun in the early part of 1635, anc ^ m ^^ e 
more than three years was able to spare a few persons to begin 
a plantation at Merrimac across the river northward. 

General Court on petition of Mr. Bradstreet, Mr. Dudley, Jr., 
Mr. Batter, Mr. Winsley, Capt. Dennison, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Wood- 

*Histoiv of Haverhill. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 5 

bridge, Mr. Battye, Henry Bilye, Giles Firman, Richard Kent 
and John Saunders, granted leave for them to begin a plantation 
at "Merrimack." This grant was obtained Sept. 6th, 1638. 
How much territory was included in this grant does not appear 
from the record, nor was that an important consideration at that 
time. It would not interfere with the rights of either Newbury 
or Hampton, and no other settlements were within range to the 
westward. Of the twelve who obtained this grant, but two lived 
and died in Salisbury, viz : Samuel Winsley and Henry Bilye. 
Messrs. Bradstreet, Batter, Dennison, Clarke, Woodbridge, Firman 
and Kent gave their names and influence to the measure, but 
never settled in the new plantation. Mr. Batt and John Sanders 
received land and built houses but removed from town at an early 
period. 

The company was "allowed (upon their petition) to begin a 
plantation at Merrimack, & shall have liberty to associate to them 
such others as they can agree upon ; & if any difference fall out 
amongst the planters about the seate of their towne, or of receiv- 
ing of other associats, or alotment of lands, that then this Court 
or the counsell shall set order in it." This was the first attempt at 
permanent settlement north of the Merrimac in Salisbury, although 
one solitary soul had built his log house at an earlier date in 
this gloomy wilderness. 

But the policy of settling along the coast and thus getting 
possession of the territory was early decided upon, even though 
it might prove dangerous to those occupying these distant posts. 
These continued settlements were in time, as the Indians grew 
more numerous, viewed as encroachments upon their hunting 
and fishing grounds, and ill feeling and revenge began to appear 
in the torch by night and surprise at mid-day. Half a century 
after the settlement, the people were in more danger from the 
Indians than at first, as the frequent alarms and murders clearly 
show. 

The favorite haunts of the natives seem to have been near the 
sea and Merrimac. At Salisbury, near the marsh, immense piles 
of clam shells were found and have remained until recently. 
Among these, relic seekers have found many arrow heads and 



6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

some bones which show by whom these accumulations were made. 
At the Buttonwood in Amesbury many relics have been found 
and other indications of an Indian village. These evidences 
were so clear in 1654 when our ancestors explored the premises 
that they named this section "Indian ground," and it has been 
known by that name ever since. 

Another favorite resort of these migratory tribes was the banks 
of the beautifully winding and dashing Powow. Here and on 
the summit of the noble hill close by, tradition had no doubt 
fixed the head quarters of the Indians and hence the appro- 
priate name "Powous" or "Powawus." 

Having spoken in general terms respecting this new country, 
its appearance and condition at the commencement of the new 
era which had suddenly opened, it is now proposed to give more 
minute details of the progress of events as they transpire, and 
lay before the reader all the light and knowledge which long 
research has enabled us to obtain in regard to men and things. 
Although Amesbury had no real existence for some sixteen years 
after the plantation grant at Salisbury, yet the close connection 
in affairs, as well as the fact that all who removed west of the 
Powow were Salisbury men, prominent in the management of 
the business matters of the company, seems to render it necessary 
to commence with the settlement then and trace the progress 
of events from the beginning. "Salisbury new town," as Ames- 
bury was often called had no legal existence till 1666, and 
until that time all who lived west of the Powow contributed 
by way of rates to certain purposes in the old town and voted 
there till 1654. So closely connected were those who settled 
the new town, with the interest of the old, that a sketch of the 
mother town, seems almost indispensible to a clear understanding 
of matters in general. 

The character of the old town was undoubtedly imparted to 
the new, shaping to a large extent its future developement and 
progress. 

1637. 

Newbury had now been settled two years, mostly in the vicinity 
of the Parker river, when the venturesome and wandering spirit 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 7 

of John Bayly induced him to plunge further into the forest and 
establish a home "beyond the Merrimack." Here he built his 
log cabin and taking with him William Schooler as help, settled 
in solitude and began his preparation to cultivate the virgin soil. 
He had a wife and children in England, but she was unwilling 
to quit her home for one so far away in the wilderness, so she 
never came to join her husband here. Mr. Bayly was an honest 
man, but his associate was of a very different make, although 
John supposed him trusty and seems to have had perfect confi- 
dence in him. Mary Schooler a servant girl at Piscataqua, (Ports- 
mouth, N. H.) was visiting at Newbury and being ready to return, 
agreed with Bayly to take her back to her master. His man School- 
er was employed for that purpose and set off on his journey all 
right. It was a difficult route to pursue and occupied usually 
more time than in this instance. His sudden return occasioned 
some surprise, and it was generally thought that he had in some 
way been unfaithful to his trust. He affirmed, however, that he 
had conducted her safely to her master, and the matter was 
dropped. But Schooler was a black-hearted wretch and had 
murdered the poor unsuspecting girl. A few months later an 
Indian came to Newbury and reported having found the body 
of a female some three miles from Piscataqua, and it proved to 
be that of Mary. 

Complaint was made, and the General Court issued the follow- 
ing order : — 

"1637, June 6. Order was appointed to be given to the cun- 

stable of Newberry to apprehend Schooler Bayly 

dwelling beyond the Merrimack, to appear at the Court 

at Ipswich or before the magistrates there, who have power to 
take further order, as they shall see cause." 

The arrest was made in accordance with the order • both were 
tried, Schooler was convicted, but Bayly was discharged. The 
following is the verdict of the jury : — 

"19th 7th mo. 1637 at Quarter Court Boston William Schooler 
being indited for the death of Mary Scholee, the jury found him 
guilty of murthering the said Schoolee." 

Schooler was subsequently hung at Boston. No doubt Bayly 
was entirely innocent of the crime. 



5 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

This unfortunate beginning did not prevent the contemplated 
occupation of the territory by good and true men at a subse- 
quent period. 

1638. 

On the 6th of September, in answer to a petition presented to 
the General Court by Simon Bradstreet and others, leave was grant- 
ed for a plantation at Merrimac, on the north side of the river. No 
legal settlement had previously been made here, although it may 
be possible that a few had ventured across and erected temporary 
residences. No reference is made by Salisbury records to any 
such settlement however, and it is hardly probable that much 
was accomplished during the latter part of the year, nor until 
the spring of 1639. The territory was little better than one un- 
broken forest. There were, however, a few clear spots where 
the Indians had planted their corn, and meadow lands which 
they had often burned over to get rid of the tall grass, which 
tradition says "grew so thick and high that a man or beast could 
not be seen five rods" and which prevented them from killing 
the deer which resorted hither every spring to feed upon it. 
There were also many acres of marsh, clear and available as at 
present ; but houses must be built for families, and sheds for 
cattle before venturing into this wilderness to spend the long 
severe winter. These preparations could not possibly be made 
in the short time before winter must set in ; besides no lots were 
granted this year for building or planting, and squatter sovereignty 
was less prevalent than at present. So it is pretty certain that few 
removals were made in 1638; but there was an abundance of 
work in making preparation for the coming spring. 

The inducements which led to this new settlement are not 
quite clear, but there were some advantages which may have 
had weight in forwarding the movement. The great tract of 
marsh was near at hand and was a valuable feeding ground for 
their cattle ; clams and fish were within easy reach, and the 
meadows and beach were alive with various kinds of fowl ; indeed 
tradition has it that at times geese were so plenty as to greatly 
damage the hay crop. Nor were these alone numerous, but 
other species of water-fowl were abundant and easily obtained. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 9 

The soil was rich and of easy cultivation, and water communi- 
cation by way of the Town creek very near and convenient. 
These were no doubt some of the advantages which induced 
so many of the colonists at Newbury to remove hither. 

It is worthy of note that the grant was for leave to establish 
a "plantation at Merrimack." The name "Colchester" we have 
not found on the first town records, and it evidently was not a 
popular name with the people. 

1639. 

Early this spring the company was sufficiently organized to 
begin their difficult work. Simon Bradstreet, Samuel Dudley, 
Daniel Dennison, Christopher Batt, Samuel Winsley and John 
Sanders seem to have been the committee chosen to order affairs, 
although no record is found of their choice. The first meeting 
on record was of this committee in May, and is recorded as 
follows : — 

"At a meeting at Merrimack of Mr. Simon Bradstreet, Mr.. 
Samuel Dudley, Mr. Danniell Dennison, Christopher Batt, Sam- 
uel Winsley, John Sanders, two divisions of meadow were ordered, 
one nearer — the other further. 3 month 1639." 

Of more than sixty grantees, ten were honored with the title 
of Mr., which shows them to have been men of worth and' 
substance ; and this fact also appears from the grants which were 
in proportion to the wealth possessed. 

The grant was somewhat indefinite, but as subsequently defined 
included South Hampton and a portion of Kingston, Plaistow, . 
Newton, Seabrook and Hampstead as well as Amesbury and 
Merrimac. 

When and where the first meeting was held (if the foregoing 
was not the first,) we have no means of kn6wing. This was an 
important meeting — a town was about to be located and where 
should it be ? East Salisbury was the favored spot, evidently pos- 
sessing advantages over any other location. Here was a clear 
green spot, just suited for the center of their village, which seemed 
especially designed to meet their wants. Around this green spot 
so frequently mentioned on the records as "the Green," roads 
were laid out very nearly as found at present. The semi-circular 

2 



IO HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

road, sometimes called "Mudnock road", the old "Ferrie road", 
"road to the neck", road to Hampton, "path to Exiter", road to 
the "hoghouse" and "mill road" were the first work of the com- 
mittee. With the exception of the "ferrie road" (which lay 
through the pastures to Carr's island) the roads all remain with- 
out great alterations. The road to the neck is the present beach 
road below East Salisbury, and the Exeter road the old cross 
road near Mr. Wm. Pike's. From Mr. Pike's to the pump was 
a wide green or road, and the north-east corner of the semi- 
circle was an open green for public use. The road to the "hog- 
house" is the present one to Hook's creek. At the junction of 
this with the beach road is the ancient Burying Ground laid out 
with the first lots and mentioned in bounding a grant to Richard 
Wells. The roads in this vicinity may all be seen on the map 
of Amesbury and Salisbury. The object in settling compactly 
was, no doubt, protection against sudden raids by the Indians. 
No settlement was without its "fort" or garrison house. 

Having located their roads the company proceeded to locate 
house lots on all sides of the green and circular road and at the 
opening of Hampton road. The grants were based on property, 
and not on the principle that all were entitled to equal rights. 
There was no attempt to found a democracy. The men with ^ioo 
received four acres of meadow — with ^50 received four acres 
of planting land — six acres for the next ;£ioo and four acres 
for every additional ^100. House lots ranged from one to four 
acres on nearly the same principle. There were but eleven who 
received four acres each, viz : — Samuel Dudley, Wm. Worcester, 
Francis Dow, Henry Bilye, Thomas Macy, John Sanders, Henry 
Mundy, William Hook, Samuel Winsley, Christopher Batt and 
George Carr. These were the most wealthy men, but others 
who received smaller lots proved to be talented men and became 
very prominent in town affairs in after years. The number who 
received house lots in the "first division" is somewhat in doubt 
on account of a document found in the Secretary's office at 
Boston, duly attested by Mr. Bradbury who then kept the records. 
The following is the document referred to : — 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



"I6 39 ." 

"The names of those yt have lots and proportions granted pr 
the Toune of Colchester in the first division. 



Mr. Sam. Dudley, 
Mr. Willi. Hooke, 
Mr. Willi. Worcester, 
Mr. Chistopher Batt, 
Mr. Sam. Winsley, 
M. Henry Biley, 
John Sanders, 
M. ffrancis Doue, 
Jno. Rolfe, 

Mr. Thomas Dummer, 
M. Henry Monday, 



George Carr, John Stevens, 

Mr. Tho. Bradbury, John Severance, 



Jno. Harrison, 
Mr. John Hodges, 
Abra. Morrill, 
Jno. fullar, 
Phili. Challis, 
Luke Heard, 
Josiah Cobbett, 
Jarret Haddon, 
Antony Colby, 
John Bayly, sen. 



Robt. Pike, 
Robt. Ringe, 
Richard Singletary, 
Tho. Macy, 
Tho. Hauxwell, 
Jno. Clifford, 
John Eyers, 
Roger Eastman, 
Anthony Sadler, 

ffitts, 

Rowell, 

widow Brown. ' 
This is a coppie of the original list taken out of the old book 
of Records for Salisbury as attest. 

Tho. Bradbury, rec. 
A true coppie, Attest. 

Edward Rans on, sec." 
The foregoing may be a true copy of the names of those who 
received house lots in the "first division", but the time was not 
confined to 1639, as the date of Abraham Morrill's grant was 
12 — 12 m. 1640 and Thomas Macy's 26 — 1 m. 1642. The first 
list found on Salisbury records contains 68 names which was no 
doubt all in the settlement at that time. That they did not all 
join the colony at first is not only reasonable but highly proba- 
ble. The ' names not found on the foregoing document are : — 



Willi. Partridge, 
Saml. Hall, 
Christian Brown, 
-Edward French, 
Richard Wells, 
Daniel Ladd, 
John Dickinson, 



Willi. Allen, 
John Clough, 
Richard Goodale, 
.Richard North, 
Joseph Parker, 
Isaac Buswell, .. 
Thos. Carter, 



Robert Codman, 
JVVilli. Barnes, 
Willi. Sargent, 
John Bayly, Jr. 
John Hoyt, 
John Coles, 
Willi. Holdred, 



12 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Willi. Osgood, John Eaton, Tho. Barnett, 

John Elsly, ^ Enoch Greenleaf, Richard Currier, 

John Wheeler, Lewis Hullett, Joseph Moyes, 

Willi. Brown. 

The grants to single men were on condition that they "inhabit 
before May 6, 1640." It was not the intention of the company 
to grant land to any but actual settlers, who would be of service 

to the plantation. 

At this date there were very few local names attached to the 
different sections of the territory, owing, perhaps, to its unex- 
plored state. A few names had been given — "y e Pawawes river", 
"y e great river", "y e little river", "y e great neck", "fferrie road", 
"road to Hampton", "y e mill road", "road to y e hog-house" and 
"y e road to Exiter." 

After the house lots came planting lots, which were freely given 
out in the various sections of the town, the first grants gener- 
ally being near the house lots, as convenience and safety required. 
The marsh was arranged in several divisions, and lots given to 
each settler accordingly. 

It has been supposed by some that our plains were originally 
rich like the western prairies ; but in one instance the record 
describes a grant as being near "barren plain", which would 
seem to indicate that they were not all productive even in the 
earliest days of the settlement. The spot selected for the town 
was, however, very productive, and has so remained to the present 
day, not failing to furnish an abundance of the greenest verdure, 
and may very properly be called "the green". 

The lots on the outside of the circular road, commencing on 
the corner where the Walton house stands, were Willi. Partridge, 
Thomas Dumer, John Rolfe, Henry Munday, John Sanders, 
Henry Biley, Robert Ring, Francis Dow, George Carr, Samuel 
Winsley, Christopher Batt, Willi. Sargent, Thomas Bradbury, John 
Harrison, John Hodges, Philip Challis, Josiah Cobham, Jarrot 
Haddon, Anthony Colby, Henry Brown, Richard Singletary, John 
Clifford, Thomas Hawksworth, John Stevens, John Ayers, Daniel 
Ladd, Robert Fitts. On the inside of this road were John Dick- 
inson, Roger Eastman, Anthony Sadler, John Bailey, sen., John 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 3 

Bailey, jun, Luke Heard, John Severance, Willi. Buswell, and 
Robert Codman extending to the green. On the beach road 
were located the lots of John Dickinson, John Hoyt, Willi. Hol- 
dred, Thomas Barnard, John Clough, Thomas Carter, Enoch 
Greenleaf, Willi. Allen, Richard Goodale and Willi. Barnes, these 
lots extending to the green. On the north of this road, com- 
mencing at the west, were the lots of Lewis Hulett, Joseph 
Parker, John Ilsley, John Coles, Thomas Rowell, Joseph Moyce, 
Christian Brown, John Fuller, Richard North, Richard Currier 
and Abraham Morrill, with the lots of Willi. Osgood, Samuel 
Hall, John Eaton, Ralph Blasdell and Samuel Felloes in the rear. 
On the west side of the Hampton road were Willi. Hook and 
John Wheeler. On the east side of the Hampton road, were 
at the north, Samuel Dudley, Rev. Willi. Worcester and Robert 
Pike. Next east of Mr. Pike were Edward French and Thomas 
Macie. 

The minister received liberal grants of land, both east and 
west of the Powow river. With our ancestors no settlement was 
complete without a minister, and in some cases he was the 
directing spirit of the little colony. Wherever a sufficient clear- 
ing was made to admit a little band of puritans in those solitary 
wilds, and the smoke began to curl from their wooden chim- 
neys, there was the sound of prayer and praise ascending from 
devout hearts to the Giver of all blessings. Even before the 
little log church could be erected — beneath the noble, wide- 
spread oak, the minister spake of Jesus and the cross, to those 
rugged, sunburnt settlers and their children, who were ready to 
receive the word and treasure it in honest hearts. They had no 
crimson cushioned pews, in which to sit at their ease, but the 
plain board settee in a house which varied in temperature as did 
the outside weather. Pilgrims and strangers in a strange land, 
like the Israelites of old, they did not forget the "One God" 
who was to make of them a great nation. In the forest or 
beside the rippling stream they could kneel and ask the blessing 
of Him who heareth prayer, confident that they would be heard. 
Theirs was a great work and we can never overestimate its im- 
portance. They laid well the foundations for succeeding genera- 
tions to build upon. 



14 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Sept. 4th the General Court named the plantation at Merrimack, 
Colchester. No clue is given to the reason of this name, as the 
town records are silent, not even mentioning the name, which 
seems not to have been satisfactory to the company. 

In the early part of the year a committee was chosen to order 
the affairs of the company ; but in November a petition was 
presented to the General Court for the appointment of "men to 
manage their affairs", and Samuel Dudley, Rev. Wm. Worcester, 
Christopher Batt, Samuel Winsley, John Sanders and Henry 
Mundy were appointed "to order all business of the towne so 
as this court doth expect & reserve power to that end, that 
such as have indirectly obtained greater lotts then of dewe belongs 
to them, the same should be reformed, & that care bee taken 
for pventing such inconveniences herraff." 

It might seem strange that any dispute should have arisen in 
regard to land, when every man had more than he knew what 
to do with, but this attempt at reform shows that selfishness 
was no stranger to our ancestors. Who the unfortunate persons 
were who had received more land than they were justly entitled 
to it is impossible to say, as the records give no account of the 
matter, or whether the new committee, composed as it was 
largely of the old, ever carried out the purpose for which they 
were appointed, we cannot say. 

There were three meetings this year, as appears by the record,* 
viz : "3 month — 7th 9 mo. — 29th 10 mo." No rules for the 
government of the meetings had yet been adopted, and no doubt 
some of the "firemen" had very crude notions of an orderly 
town meeting. Anthony Colby didn't seem to understand how 
to behave respectfully, according to the ideas of the "major 
•part of the meeting," and was fined 1 s. for being disorderly. 
Willi. Hook thought he had a right to go home when he pleased, 
and was "fined 1 s. for leaving the meeting without leave." 

With the first settlers goats were very common, and to some 

extent took the place of cows which were scarce. They were 

however, a great nuisance to other people than their owners 

when allowed to run at large, and the meeting ordered a fine 

*No doubt there were more. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 5 

of 1 2 d. on all taken running contrary to this order. Swine at 
large were a far greater evil than goats, and a fine of 6 s. was 
ordered when taken off the owner's land. 

We may well imagine that the year 1639 was a busy one at 
Colchester, for those intending to make their homes there must 
, plant something to furnish food for their families, and must also 
put up their log houses in addition to clearing, fencing and 
planting. There was no time to be wasted and no disposition to 
shirk among those toil-worn men. It could seem very little like 
home at first, but all lived in hopes of better times and pleas- 
anter surroundings. They had divided an abundance of land, 
even crossing the Powow and giving out lots there this present 
year. The marsh was disposed of, and the whole range of beach 
from Black Rocks to Hampton river cut up into lots, numbered 
and given out to the inhabitants. These lots were called "sweep- 
age" lots, probably from the fact that the sea swept one end of 
them. Those toward Black Rocks and along up were bounded 
westerly by Black Rock creek, and those toward Hampton by 
Dead creek. William Barnes sold his sweepage lot No. 45 to John 
Eastman — 4 acres, 116 rods for ^3 Sterling, April 26, 1663. 
William Huntington sold his sweepage lot to William Osgood. 
It contained 2 acres, 92 rods. Jarrot Haddon bought Valentine 
RowelPs sweepage lot April 29, 1662. Thomas Macy sold his 
sweepage lot at the beach. Jarrot Haddon sold John Eyer two 
sweepage lots, viz : the lot originally laid out to Henry Brown, 
containing 3 acres, 66 rods, between the lots of Wm. Sargent 
and Anthony Colby and the lot he bought of Val. Rowell. 
Robert Downer sold to Joseph French a sweepage lot, No. 58, 
near Hampton river and beach containing 5 acres, 124 rods, 
being originally the lot of Willi. Partridge, lying between lots of 
Wm. Buswell and said French, "one end butting on the Beach 
y e other on y e River that runs from Hampton for £2.0 Sterling, 
May 13, 1679. Philip Grele sold lot No. 60, which was origin- 
ally the sweepage lot of his father in law, John Ilsley, 3 ac, 
150 rods for ^20 Sterling, Oct. 20th, 1674." 

The foregoing shows how closely the common lands were 
given out, and also the value of these lots some thirty years 



1 6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

afterward. Instead of a village, was a forest on the hummocks 
in those days. Some of these lots were very valuable if we may 
judge from the price they brought. Probably at that time the 
sea had never broken over the banks, and the best meadows 
were along near them. 

1640. 

On petition of the inhabitants, the General Court appointed 
Samuel Dudley, William Worcester, Christopher Batt, Samuel 
Winsley, John Sanders and Henry Munday to order all business 
and "see that no one get greater lots than he ought to -have." 

July 3d. A meeting of "ffreemen" was held and George Carr 
was given the "greatest Hand in y e river merrimack." This 
gave name to the island and it has been known as "Carr's 
island" ever since. Mr. Carr was a ship builder and large land- 
holder and specially known by his ferry across the Merrimac. 

July 20th. At a general meeting "ordered yat everie p son 
that has a lot com and reside in ye towne before y e first of 
November next." The company were intending to grant land 
to actual settlers only and under the foregoing proviso, land not 
occupied would be declared forfeited. 

Several meetings were held for the transaction of business but 
the November meeting was specially noted for the large number 
of lots granted west of the "Powaw." There seems to have been 
a determination to appropriate all the land among the company 
as fast as possible. 

Christopher Batt, Samuel Winsley and Thomas Macy were 
ordered to "strike a line between Salisbury and Hampton and 
report." Their pay was fixed at "2 s 6 d" per day. 

Messrs. Batt, Winsley, Heard and Bradbury were ordered to 
"run the line towards pentucket 6 miles." This order is rather 
indefinite but no doubt meant six miles from Powow river. 
Thus the boundaries were being established on the southwest 
and northeast. 

Order was gradually being established in all departments. 
Having disposed of a large part of the land east of the Powow 
they now turned their attention to other matters, relating to the 
municipal affairs of the company. The foundation of the present 
town meeting was established by the following order : — 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 7 

"That a Moderator shall be chosen at each meeting to keep 
order, and that every ffreeman when speaking in meeting shall 
take off his hat and rise when speaking and put it on when 
done, and that no ffreeman shall be allowed to depart the 
meeting before done without license under penalty of i s." 

Such a rule would hardly be considered consistent with present 
ideas of free government. 

The "Green" and its highways round about, were carefully 
guarded from encroachments, as here they expected to build a 
nice little village including their church, court house and garri- 
son house. "Voted that no one shall be allowed to fell anie 
tree on anie highway or street in or near about y e towne or on 
the green" under a penalty of 20 s. 

There was no wanton destruction of trees allowed, notwith- 
standing the wide-spread forests which covered a large portion 
of the territory. Their conduct was far above the custom which 
now prevails in new settlements. 

Oct. 7th. The General Court changed the town's name from 
Colchester to Salisbury. How this change was brought about 
has been a matter of speculation, but the most probable theory 
is that it was brought about by Christopher Batt. He is said 
to have resided in Salisbury previous to his emigration from 
England. He came over in the ship Reuvis, in May, 1638, 
aged 37 years, with his wife Anna aged 32 years, and five 
children under 10 years of age, also a sister Dorothy aged 20 
years. He immediately joined the party crossing the Merrimac 
and was chosen on the first committee to order the affairs of 
the little colony. He served the colony continually until 1650 
when he removed to Boston. He was an influential member of 
the company and was no doubt the author of the name "Salis- 
bury." 

He was appointed to train the company at Colchester during 
the year. The militia were required to be in constant readiness 
to repel any sudden attack of the Indians as they were becoming 
a little troublesome at this time. A watch of two persons was 
kept nights, as the people were afraid to retire without sentinels 
to give the alarm. 



1 8 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The garrison house had already been built a little south of 
the residence of Joseph Pike, jr., and its huge logs in successive 
order, raised to the required height, afforded the whole village 
protection in case of danger. 

A portion of the road to George Carr's "fferrie" was discon- 
tinued and given to Josiah Cobham and Phillip Challis, between 
whose house-lots it lay. The road as re-located was, as at pres- 
ent we find the old Ferry road, at its junction with the circu- 
lar road near where Thomas Bradbury once lived. 

There is a " Mill road " mentioned on the record, but noth- 
ing definite as to its location is found. It is very probable that 
the Powow had already been decided upon as the place for 
mills, as the beautiful falls were well calculated for that purpose. 
Here, within a short distance, the water is precipitated down 
nearly one hundred feet to the flats below. This splendid water 
power was destined to build up that section. 

The large tract of rough meadow land south of the mill 
road had already been named " Boggie meadows," and several 
lots given out there. John Ralfe received a grant of four acres 
next to " Hurtleberrie ground, in y e greate meadow." The 
berries were, no doubt, very plenty there. 

Andrew Greelie first appears on the record this year. 

Capt. Daniel Dennison, of Newbury, was chosen Deputy. 

1641. 

Jan. 1 2th. A meeting was held, and after granting Francis 
Dowe a large tract of land toward" y e Great pond," and Abra- 
ham Morrill a house-lot on the "Green," it was ordered that 
"a way four rod wide be laid out west from y e Pawaws river, 
and another from the river northward, next land of Thomas 
Bradbury." 

The road laid out west from Powow river was, no doubt, the 
main road through town, starting at Weare point (Gun-house 
lane) and running through the Pondhills and "Jamaco" to 
Haverhill. Many years afterward, this road was run out four 
rods wide from the meeting house to Haverhill line, but was, 
really, little more than a bridle path spotted through town. 
The other road started at the Merrimac river and ran over 



HISTORY OF AMES BURY. 1 9 

the eastern side of the ferry hill and through the sand hollow 
to Whittier's hill, and thence over the hill to New Hampshire 
line. These were the first roads laid out, portions of which 
have been discontinued, viz. : part over the ferry hill, and part 
over Whittier's hill. Of the main road running westerly through 
town, a very small part has been discontinued, viz. : that part 
running back of the houses of W. F. Vining and John Currier. 

April 5th. Another meeting was held to regulate matters, and, 
among other things, the prices of labor. This difficult question 
was readily settled in those days, as follows : — 

"Also, it was ordered yat y e year shall be accompted thus: 
from y e first of November to y e last of y e i month ( March ) 
shall be winter months and y e seven other summer months, and 
all laborers for y e winter months shall have no more but 16 d. 
p r day, and for y e summer months 20 d. p r day ; and all carpen- 
ters shall have 2 d. p r day more yan laborers, yat is, 18 d. p r 
day in winter, and 22 d. p r day in summer." 

"Also, yat mowers shall have no more but 2 d. p r day, and 
if yey mowe p r y e acre yey shall not exceed 2 d. p r acre." 

" Also, yat no man shall sell claboards of five feet in length for 
more yan yree shillings p r hundred ; and if shorter, according 
to p r portion; and if they cleave by y e hundred, yey shall not 
exceed six pence p r hundred for five feet in length." 

"Also, yat no man shall sell anie sawn board for more yan 
five shillings p r hundred, and for y e sawing no more yan yree 
shillings, six pence p r hundred ; and for split work no more 
yan 4s. 6d. p r hundred." 

"Also, yat y e fferriman shall take no more of y e town but 2d. 
a person for going or rowing over ye river ; and all great beasts 
6d. p r head and 3d. p r calfe, and all small cattell id. a head." 

"Also, yat butter shall not be sould for above 6d. p r pound," 
and this price continued for more than forty years. 

"Also, yat milk shall be sould for yree half-pence a quart 
new milk, and 1 d. skimd milk — ale measure." 

April 2 1 st. A general town meeting was held and William 
Osgood was granted " 50 acres of upland " and " 10 acres of 
meadow" "on condition yat he build a mill yat may be suffi- 



20 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

cient for y e use of y e towne before y e ioth of y e 7th month 
next ensuing." This "upland" lay along down the Powow 
river to the " Landing." The town agreed that no other mill 
should be built so long as his did the required work. It was 
a saw mill and the price of sawing was fixed at " 3 s. 6 d. p r 
hundred." The mill was built and performed service for the 
town for many years before others were built in addition. 

It was, in all probability, the first mill ever built on the Powow 
river. To be sure, it would hardly be seen along beside the 
stately buildings of the Hamilton mills, but it was, neverthe- 
less, a great acquisition to the little band who needed shelter 
from the severity of those dreary winters. 

A more intelligent race had turned the elements to account, 
and the first water-wheel ever turned by the ripling " Pawaw " 
was now busily at work for the benefit of these hardy settlers. 
The "boarded frame " may now replace the log house. 

May ioth. A general meeting. 

Cattle forbidden being kept on the neck " till corne be reaped, 
except calfes." 

Robert Pyke, Luke Heard and John Harrison appointed fence- 
viewers. 

Persons were forbidden cutting trees along the river, as they 
infringed on lots already granted ; but Samuel Winsley was allowed 
on condition that he pay "toward y e buying of or drawing 
20 miles so manie as shall accomplish his bargain of 30000 
pipe-staves." Manufacturing pipe-staves in the early years of 
the settlement was an important branch of business, furnishing 
the means to purchase West India goods, etc. 

Richard North and John Rolph were appointed to mend the 
roads, with power to order men to work or, if refusing, to take 
their goods. 

" Ordered, that everie townsman shall send a sufficient man 
to work one day towards y e making of a way to carrie corn to 
mill." 

"Also, ordered, yat yere shall be three hundred acres of 
upland inclosed for an ox common near y e Little river." 

Sept. 20th. A general meeting and a large amount of land 
laid out, and no other business done. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 21 

Nov. 30th. Henrie Kimball first appears and receives a grant 
of land on the river. 

" Salsberry is enjoyned to amend their ways upon paine of 
20 s."* 

"Salsberry, for want of weights & measures, is fined 20 s. 6 d." 

To end small causes, Mr. Batt, Mr. Dudley and Mr. Winslow 
were appointed, " and one of them to see people joyne in mar- 
riage & keepe records."* 

" Mr. John Woodbridge, Mathewe Boyse, John Crosse & George 
Gittings, they 4 or any 3 of them are appointed to set out the 
bounds betweene Salsberry & Pantucket, ali. Haverell. They 
are to determine the bounds w ch Mr. Ward & his company 
are to inioy as a town or village if they have 6 houses up by 
the next Gen r all Court in the 8 th m ."* 

March 1st. John Clifford, planter, sold to Thomas Hauxworth 
for 32 s. his house-lot of one acre on the west of the circular 
road. His residence is given at Hampton at this time. 

1642. 

Jan. 3d. A general meeting held, and it was agreed " that 
y e Constable for y e time being shall not yerely be ffreed from 
anie Rate." 

Henrie Munday was chosen constable. 

John Hall, John Sanders and Richard North were chosen to 
take account of pipe-staves to be transported "yat no man exceed 
his p r portion." 

Whenever the authorities could make a contract to sell pipe- 
staves for shipment to the West Indies, each inhabitant was 
allowed to fill his proportionate share ; and it is possible that 
some were disposed to do more than that ; hence this commit- 
tee. 

Jan. 10th. At a general meeting, the following order was 
passed : — 

" Ordered, yat y e sole fishing in Pavvaw river shall be taken 
out of the hands of John Bayly, seng r ., for yat he hath forfeited 
his right given, in not performing y e conditions on which it was 
granted him." 

*Mass. Records. 



2 2 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The fishing at this time was carried on in the Powow by 
means of dams or "wyers," and was a very successful business. 
The town claimed a certain part of the fish taken, and it seems 
that John Bayly had not come up to his agreement, either by 
failing to render to the town its share or some neglect in regard 
to his "wyers." The right was, however, soon restored, and a 
reprimand given at the same time, as follows :• — ■ 

"John Bayly, sen 1 "., is granted y e sole fishing in y e Pawaw 
river two years on condition that he shall not join any but 
townsmen, so that y e fish shall not be carried out of towne ; and 
he is not to have more than his share of alewives, and is to 
make ' y e wyers ' to be full hight, so that the town may not suf- 
fer by fish escaping." 

The rivers were full of fish and afforded the settlers a large 
amount of provisions, which were very much needed. The price 
was fixed at "3 s. per 1000 in work, corn, cattle or merchant- 
able commodities." 

" Agreed to let John Harrison cut trees enough to make 2000 
pipe-staves, and free him from all town & contre rats to keep 
an ordinarie two years." At the present time there are plenty 
of persons ready to keep an "ordinarie" with no inducement 
but the profits. 

Jan. nth. Willi. Sargent received a grant of six acres next 
the mill for a planting lot, butting upon " Pawaws river." 

Jan. 14th. Henrie Mundy and Thomas Bradbury were author- 
ized to bargain with a man to hang the bell on the meeting house 
This bell was brought from England by order of Rev. William 
Worcester, according to tradition. It is probable that the little 
log church was built in 1640, as the hurry of 1639 would hardly 
admit of its being built then ; and it is hardly probable that it 
was delayed beyond the above time. This roughly- constructed 
church was built on the open green, on the easterly corner, now 
owned by Mrs. Buswell. It stood a little to the south of the 
present road, and quite a large common or green was then left 
open for public use there. It was simply a log house with the 
outside cracks daubed with clay to keep out the cold and 
storms. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 23 

"Ordered, that all the wood on the common shall be divided 
to everie inhabitant according to his estate." A fine of 10 s. 
was imposed for cutting contrary to order. 

Jan. 25 th. A general meeting was held, and sixty acres of land 
granted to Abraham Morrill and Henrie Saywood to build a 
"corn mill." No other mill was to be built as long as this 
ground all the town needed. With two mills upon this "Pawaws 
river," as it was sometimes called, it was considered a busy 
place. 

Thomas Rowell, Samuel ffellows, Henrie Brown and Richard 
Currier were granted four acres each "nere y e powowes Hill." 

"Feb. 1 6th. Richard Currier sold unto Abraham Morrill six 
house-lots w ch was given him by the town of Salisbury, contain- 
ing 7 acres." 

March 26th. A general meeting ordered all fences made suf- 
ficient before April 8th, "against all cattle unyoked, hogs and 
goats excepted, upon forfeit of 2 s. 6d. for every rodd then 
found unmade." Every hog was ordered to be yoked before 10th 
2d mo., under penalty of 6 d. 

Robert Ring carried on the fishing business and received a 
grant of two acres on the island* for two years, but was restricted 
to building " more than 3 houses." He might, however, con- 
tinue his houses and stages on one acre "as long as he should 
employ it." Ring's island was the great resort of the fisher- 
men. Here their '" stages " or fish-flakes were spread on which 
the fish were dried, and the store houses built to contain the 
products of their labors. 

John Hall, Thomas Bradburie, Thomas Macy and Robert Pyke 
were chosen to make the "rate of ^12 10 s., to be paid to the 
country the 22nd, 6th mo., 1642 ;" and Samuel Dudley, Richard 
Wells, Tohn Sanders, John Severance and John Harrison were 
appointed to make Mr. Worcester's rate. 

It was no very easy task to procure work on the highway, 
although but little was expected, and Richard North and Thomas 
Bradburie were chosen "to enforce work on the highway." 

Dec. 19th. Since the two mills were established on the Powow, 

* This island has ever since been known as Ring's island. 



24 HISTORY OF AMESEURY. 

the tide of emigration had set in that direction, and at the 
close of this year the people there began to think about having the 
amunition removed to that section, as the following order very 
plainly shows : — 

" Ordered, that the ordinance shall be removed nere the paw- 
awes river by the last of September next, com. 1 2 month, which 
will be in the year 1644." This was rather a singular order, 
for it is difficult to conceive how the next September could be 
in the year 1644. The record is plain, and we have no means 
of correcting the mistake, if it be one. 

The company were in debt, ( but, probably, to no great extent ) 
and a rate was made on that account. These rates were not 
paid in money, but provisions and produce, which was legal ten- 
der then. 

This year appears to be remarkable for one event : the meet- 
ing of the few settlers in Salisbury for the purpose of ordering 
off a portion of their number, which would seem to have been 
sufficiently small already. Hundreds of acres of land had been 
given out west of the "Powowas river," and now it is proposed 
to settle a colony there. On the 26th of the 10th month (Dec.) 
1642, a meeting was called of "y e freemen," and "it was ordered 
yere shall thirtie families remove to the west side of y e Powowas 
river." This would seem to be an arbitrary order and one 
which nobody in particular was bound to consider as applying 
to themselves ; and, consequently, amounted to nothing. It set- 
tled one fact, however : that nobody was willing to remove. 
Finding their attempt a failure, in ten days another meeting was 
held, viz.: on the "5th, nth mo., 1642," (Jan. 5, 1643) at 
which the former vote was re-affirmed and the time for removal 
fixed "before the first of the third month in the year 1645," 
which would be in season for planting. And such persons were 
to remove as "the seven men shall approve of." The seven 
men were, no doubt, those chosen to order the prudential affairs,, 
viz. : Messrs. Dudley, Worcester, Batt and others. 

Those removing were to have all the lands and timber, and 
the old town to be excluded forever therefrom. On the other 
hand, the new town's people were to be excluded from all rights 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 25 

in the old town, excepting the privilege of feeding their oxen 
on the "oxe common" when working there. There was, how- 
ever, reserved to the old town the "libertie for one familie to 
feed eight cows on the common in the new town." This one 
family will be found in the "Articles of Agreement" No. 5. 
These conditions were, no doubt, considered liberal and such 
as would give no occasion for complaint to those ordered off. 

The movement was made with a determination that it should 
be carried out, and, that all doubt might disappear, " it was 
ordered that this order shall stand unrepealed forever, except 
by the consent of every freeman in town." Although no sanc- 
tion was given to the measure by the General Court, yet the 
company thought they could enforce it, and, probably, thought 
they had offered sufficient inducement to accomplish what they 
proposed. This was evidently intended as the beginning of a 
new town or plantation, as they were called at that time, on 
the west side of the Powow, which seemed to form a very natural 
boundary. 

The puritanical radicalism of our ancestors seems to crop out 
here very prominently, for which they were somewhat noted. 
Their indomitable will, not wholly free from selfishness, perhaps, 
hardly dreamed of failure. But it was found a difficult meas- 
ure to carry into effect, especially in the short time of three 
years. 

It was sufficiently wild at Salisbury, where they had but just 
reclaimed a few broken patches among the scattered inhabitants ; 
but this western wilderness was even more solitary ; darker and, 
if possible, denser forests covered hill and dale, rendering the 
territory gloomy and forbidding. Few, if any, were ready to 
obey the order, and the only settlers who ventured along came 
reluctantly just across the stream at first, gradually venturing fur- 
ther on as the territory grew more familiar. 

At this time the territory west of the Powow was large, extend- 
ing beyond the Great pond, now mostly in Newton, N. H., and 
including a large island in the pond, which was subsequently 
granted by Amesbury to Thomas Haynes. But it was farther 
from the sea and farther into the wilderness, as the back terri- 

4 



26 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

tory was then called, and a settlement there must necessarily 
be attended with many inconveniences and great danger from 
the Indians. The danger from the Indians was, also, so great 
that the General Court ordered a strict watch kept, and estab- 
lished certain rules to be observed to guard against surprises, 
especially in the night time. To give an alarm the signal was 
to be "by distinctly discharging three muskets or continual beat 
of the drum, or firing the beacon or discharging a peese of 
ordnance ; & every trained souldier is to take the alarum imedi- 
ately, on paine of five pound." 

"That every towne p r vide a sufficient place for retreat for their 
wives & children to repaire to, as likewise to keepe safe the 
amunition thereof."* 

" That all watches throughout this country bee set at suneset, 
at the beat of the drum, & not bee discharged till the beate of 
the drum at sunne riseing."* 

It will readily be seen that great care and constant watchful- 
ness were required to protect these settlements, which were 
very liable to be destroyed at any moment by the treacherous 
red men. 

AVolves as well as all other animals were plenty, and to rid 
themselves of a common enemy a bounty of 10 s. was offered 
for each wolf killed. It was wolves then and not dogs that killed 
the sheep and lambs, of which all the farmers kept more or less. 

The General Court passed an order requiring the plantations 
to keep a supply of powder, and Salisbury obtained one barrel 
from the government. 

The seven men appointed at first to manage the affairs of 
the plantation gave up their power, and William Worcester, Sam- 
uel Dudley, John Sanders, Samuel Winsley, Robert Pyke, Jona. 
Cobbitt and John Severance were chosen in their stead. 

Ox common is mentioned as being near the sea. 

Salisbury received one barrel of powder as its share, provided 
by the General Court. 

March 25th. John Hoyt exchanged his four-acre planting-lot 
with John Dickinson and received a house-lot and planting-lot 
of Dickinson, who never built on his corner lot. 
* Mass. Records. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 27 

1643. 

Prudential men : Christopher Batt, John Severance, Thomas 
Macy, John Hall, Robert Pike, John Sanders and Thomas Brad- 
bury. 

At this time people were obliged to keep constantly armed 
and the General Court ordered " that the military offic r s in every 
towne shall appoint what arms to be brought to the meeting 
houses on the Lord's day & other times of meeting, & to take 
order at farmes & houses remote, that amunition bee safely dis- 
posed of, that an enemy may not possesse himselfe of them." 

We can imagine our ancestors wending their way to church 
on each returning Sabbath, on horse back, each husband with 
his wife seated behind and his matchlock slung to the saddle, 
ready for any emergency which might happen. Arriving at the 
little church, whose bell had proclaimed the solemn hour of wor- 
ship, their guns were severally placed within the door ready for 
use. 

It was a long way from the Powow where William Osgood 
and others lived to the meeting house at East Salisbury, and 
their crooked bridle paths lay through dark forests, where the 
wiley foe could easily conceal himself till sure of his aim. 
Verily these were trying times, requiring courage and self reli- 
ance. We know but little of the trials and privations of those 
early days. 

Jan. 5th. The order for removal was again affirmed. 

There does not appear to have been any additions to the set- 
tlement this year. 

Jan. 15th. A meeting was held and it was decided that "all 
public charges should be defrayed by both places, the 7 men 
having power to make rates to pay debts and to certifie all 
ould records and bring into this new book." 

" And, also, yat the constable for y e yeare past and so for time 
to come shall be allowed for everie rate he shall gather two 
days' work or the value thereof by the towne." 

Feb. 20th. A grant of 70 acres was made to Mr. Worcester 
" between y e uper end of y e uper range & y e great pond." In 
addition to this, five hundred acres were granted to various per- 
sons, probably in the "Peke" or near Country pond. 



2S HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Among those who received land at this time were William 
Barnes, Thomas Barnett, Anthony Colby, George Martin and Wil- 
liam Sargent, who were afterwards Amesbury men. 

The power was taken from the seven men with their consent, 
and others chosen in their stead. 

Feb. 26th. It was ordered that all fences "next y e street shall 
be made sufficient by y e 12th of y e first month," under forfeit 
of " 2 s. p r rod." March was, at this time, the first month and 
the season must have been very early or frost would have pre- 
vented fence building. 

All hogs over two months old were ordered yoked by the 
12th 1st mo. or anybody might impound them and collect 6 s. each. 

The whole number of towns in the colony was thirty at this 
time, and the counties were established as follows : — 

Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk — the latter including 
Salisbury, Hampton, Haverhill, Exeter, Dover and Strawberry 
Bank (Portsmouth). The courts were holden at Hampton. 
This arrangement continued till 1679. 

Richard North was chosen "cryer" for the ensuing year. 

Dec. 27th. Robert Dumer complained of Samuel Hall for 
beating his (Dumer's) daughter Phebe, a girl about ten years 
of age. Hall did not appear.* 

William Sargent sued William Hook, and the case was tried 
at Ipswich court. Recovered 56 s.* 

Richard North was chosen Howard to impound the cattle 
and have 2 d. each, and, also, to see to all fences. In modern 
language he was field-driver and fence viewer. 

It was ordered that all grants of land should be recorded in 
the new book, every man's grant together. 

1 8th, 5th mo. Thomas Bradbury and John Severance were 
chosen surveyors of highways. 

At the same meeting a rate of ^15 was ordered "for dig- 
ging town creek & other town charges," and a meeting of all 
land owners ordered to be held at the meeting house on the 
2 2d, 23d, 24th of 6th mo. at 7 a. m. What these meetings 
were for does not appear by the record, or whether they were 
ever held. 

* Court Records. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 29 

20th, 9th mo. It was ordered that the " oxe common on 
the north side of y e great neck leading toward the sea shall be 
at liberty for the oxen from ist August to ist April, and cows 
to go from 15 Sept. to April;" and it was voted to fence this 
half with four rails. 

Richard Goodale was granted a lot of meadow west of the 
great creek, but one rod in width was reserved next the creek 
for drying nets and other purposes connected with the fishing. 

8th, 10th mo. Samuel Dudley was chosen deputy. Land was 
granted to John Bayly, sen., and John Bayly, jun. 

. 1644. 

Prudential men : Samuel Dudley, Thomas Bradbury, Robert 
Pike, Henry Munday, Isaac Buswell. 

Jan. 15th. A town meeting was held and some further encour- 
agement given to those who should remove to the new terri- 
tory : — 

" Ordered, that those persons that go up to live upon the 
west side of the Powwas river shall have the sole feeding on that 
side for the year ensuing, and power to make order about 
fences." 

Jan. 20th. Joseph Moyce sold to Richard Currier his "new 
house, land, all things thereunto belonging." 

Mr. Samuel Dudley and Samuel Winsley were chosen depu- 
ties Jan. 15 th. 

It was ordered that the "rate in Constable's hands be gathered 
in corn row & half in work at spring digging the creek or 
planting." 

"Also, it is ordered that the improved lands of all those men 
y l have lands upon y e west side of y e Powwaus river shall be 
rated att half so much as the imp r vd land att the Towne until] 
they have a Minister there." 

This order does not establish the fact that there were any 
living west of the Powow at this time, but it very clearly reit- 
erates the determination formed in 1642, when the order of 
removal was passed, to make a new town in course of time. It 
may be that some had already crossed the river and were cul- 
tivating small patches near by, but in our careful search to 
ascertain the fact we have failed to find any evidence. 



30 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Messrs. Winsley, Severance, Buswell, Sanders and Ralfe Blais- 
dell were ordered to make a rate of ,£27 for Mr. Worcester's 
half-yearly salary. 

Feb. 1 9th. " Ordered, that those p r sons of y e towne of Salis- 
bury w ch goe up to live upon the west side of the Powwaus 
river, shall have the libertie of the sole feeding of the common 
for there chattell upon the west & South side of Powwaus river, 
p r vided they let none come upon the towne 's side, nor the 
Towne let any goe of there chattells ( excepting calves ) to goe 
upon the above sayd side of the Powwaus river for the ensuing 
year." They were, also, to have power to make orders about 
fences. 

Feb.' 20th. Richard North was granted ten acres east of Powow, 
in lieu of twenty acres granted previously west of Powow river. 
This grant was, no doubt, a fair illustration of the value of land 
each side of the Powow, and explains the reluctance of the peo- 
ple to leaving Salisbury for this wilderness. 

March 25th. Philip Challis ordered to run his fence straight. 

Richard Goodale was engaged to hunt this year, and for hunt- 
ing six weeks before Michaelmas he was to have "one peck of 
Indian come from each townsman & ^3 to be paid him in 
wheat ; and, also, to have for each fox killed 2 s. 6 d., and for 
everie wolf ^2." 

April 1 8th. Josiah Cobham appointed grand juror. 

May 13th. Richard Dummer, of Newbury, chosen deputy. 

June 4th. Richard North and John Stevens chosen survey- 
ors of roads, and all are to work on lawful notice, under 5 s. 
fine. 

Dec. 10th. Forty acres granted to George Carr, next his sixty 
acres near Pentucket. 

John Sanders, John Stevens and Thomas Barnett were chosen 
to "search out what trees have been cut for pipe-staves contra 
to order of 1642, and inform the constable who shall demand 
the fine." The committee were successful in their search, as 
we shall see in 1645. 

Robert Pyke was appointed to end cases below 20 s. 

Philip Challis was appointed by the General Court one of a 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 3 1 

committee to lay out six hundred acres of land to Mr. Ward 
near Pentucket. 

At the May session of the General Court the fine imposed 
upon Salisbury for not having a watch-house was remitted, as the 
town had provided one. The danger from the Indians was such 
that every town was required to keep watchmen with their head- 
quarters at the watch-house. 

An order was passed by the General Court requiring every 
town to take measures to make " salt peeter," and a commis- 
sioner was appointed to see to it that the order might be obeyed. 
Sergt. Challis was appointed for Salisbury, Sept. 27th, 1642, but 
it seems was a little negligent, as this year the Court gently 
reminded Salisbury as follows : — 

" It is conceived fit the order established about salt peeter should 
be observed at Salsberry." 

The order provided that " Every house or some two or more 
houses to join together for the breeding of salt peeter in some 
out houses for poultry or the like," under penalty of 12 d. fine 
for each month's neglect. Such families were to be paid a due 
price for the same. 

April 5 th. Jarrett Haddon sold his house and lot of two 
acres on the circular road to Samuel Felloes and, also, a plant- 
ing-lot ; and, probably, removed west of the Powow at this 
time. 

1645. 

Prudential men : John Sanders, John Ralfe, John Stevens, 
John Elsley ; Ralfe Blaisdell, constable. The "five men" were 
empowered to order all town business except giving out lands. 

Richard Goodale was again employed to hunt, with a salary 
of ,£13. He was "to hunt 1 day everie week whether there 
be anie occasion or noe, & as often as there be occasion, & to 
have 1 s. for everie fox & woulf, according to County order, 
and not to hunt in any other towne and to have his pay at a 
week's warning." He was, no doubt, an expert in the business, 
and the town was determined to secure his services at home. 
It might have been interesting to have listened some of those 
long winter evenings to his stories of wonderful shots and mirac- 



32 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ulous escapes from danger. Old and young were attentive list- 
eners on such occasions, no doubt. 

The committee chosen last year to inquire into the violation 
of the order concerning cutting trees did their duty faithfully, 
and reported the names of those subject to fines, as follows : — 

Samuel Hall, Richard Currier, George Martin, John Hoyt, 
Thomas Whitcher, William Sargent, Willi. Brown, Thomas Row- 
ell, Henry Munday, Thomas Macy, William Barnes. 

Jan. 2d. What the amount of each man's fine was does 
not appear ; but at this meeting it was " ordered that Samuel 
Hall's forfeiture shall be abated to ^5, & he to have the trees, 
to be paid forthwith. Richard Currier's abated to £2 10 s. & 
trees. George Martin's to £1 5 s. & trees. John Hoyt's to 
£2 10 s. Thomas Whitcher's to £2 10 s. Willie Sargent's to 
20 s. Willie Brown's "xs". Thomas Rowell's to £2 15 s. 
Henry Munday's to 8 s. 4 d. Thomas Macy's to 15 s. Wil- 
liam Barnes' to 1 s. 8 d." 

These fines were ordered to be paid forthwith to the consta- 
ble in "pipe-staves or corn or cattle," "staves to be delivered 
at the water side," at the head of Town creek. 

Jan. 6th. "Ordered, 40 s. to John Sanders, John Stevens & 
Thomas Barnett for their services." Also, a fine of 10 s. per 
tree was ordered, and 2 s. 6 d. of it to go to the complainant, 
for future violations of the order. 

Samuel Winsley, John Severance and John Elsley were chosen 
to lay out a road " to Little river, 5 rods broad." This was 
the road which branches from the old road and leads to the 
large brook ( Little river) at East Salisbury. 

Samuel Hall seems to have been peculiarly unfortunate, hav- 
ing been obliged to pay a fine of ^5 — about twice as much 
as any other person for cutting trees — and now a fine of "5 s. 
for his abusive speaches wa? 1 the ffreemen, saying, 'you are all 
lords, all monarchs ; you r will must be a law,' and such like." 
He was, evidently, vexed with his heavy fine and did not hesi- 
tate to give them somewhat of his mind in town meeting, let 
the consequences be what they would. But there was really 
more of "truth than poetry" in his words. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURV. $?, 

Feb. 5th. A meeting was held, and it was ordered that all 
fences be made by "y e 20th of y e next month to keep out all 
cattle, but not goats & they to have a keeper." 

" All swine above 4 mos. old shall have libertie to goe about 
y e towne free, and w l p r sons shall neglect to make their fences 
sufficient p r y e time to be fined 2 s., & for everie 12 foote so 
found to pay 2 s. 6 d., this order to stand in force 1 yeare." 

There were very few seasons in those times when the frost 
would allow of fence building by the 20th of March. It would 
seem that the springs were earlier then than now, but this order 
was extended to April nth, at a meeting of the commoners' 
committee April 4th, " y e wether disabling men for y e same." 

It was ordered that no cattle but calves should be put on 
the lands between Mill river, on the west of the bridge, to the 
great swamp, under penalty of 5 s. 

" Further ordered, that if any person put his cattle to any 
heard but the towns, or such as the 5 men approve, they shall 
not be allowed their milch cows in the town heard." 

For many years cattle went in herds with keepers, and not 
in small pastures as at the present day ; and it was quite a priv- 
ilege to have them under their care. 

The remainder of the rate made to defray the "digging up 
y e creek" was ordered to be taken to pay town debts. 

April 8th. At a general meeting, Jarrett Haddon was chosen 
grand juror for the year. 

April 2 1 st. At a general meeting it was ordered "y l no p r son 
shall imp r ve or make use of any candle wood or pine trees 
for y e making pitch or tarr, or Rosen to sell or carrie out of 
y e Towne upon y e penaltie of 20 s. for everie loade, & accord- 
ing to y e same rate for any lesser p r portion." 

May 1 st. A general meeting chose Samuel Winsley deputy 
" for y e Court of Election, and, moreover, it was ordered that 
he shall have 8 s. p r week while he attends y e Court, alloAving 
him for 2 days going & 2 days returning att y e same rate." 

Mr. Winsley, probably, rode on horseback, and as far as Salem 
the first day, and arrived at Boston the afternoon of the sec- 
ond day. 

5 



34 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

May 8th. A general meeting was held and John Sanders, 
Richard Wells and Willie Partridge were chosen to lay out "y e 
highway to y e Beach," and to satisfy the owners of the meadow 
taken with other land. 

Thomas Bradbury was chosen grand juryman for the year. 

May 2 2d. At a general meeting "it was ordered y l John San- 
ders, John Stevens & Thomas Macy shall appoint where the 
highways shall lie beyond y e Pawwaus river from y e mill to y e 
houses, where they shall think most convenient, & this to be 
done between this & September next." 

This order would rather seem to indicate that some houses 
were already built west of the river, although the road may have 
been in anticipation of their location on the removal of the 
families ordered across. It is probable that the removals were 
very gradual at first, and the few small houses were located 
near the river in every instance. 

John Stevens and John Severance were appointed surveyors, 
with power to "demand everie man helpe toward y e making & 
repairing of wayes." They were to give three days' notice, and 
were to be paid if they spent more than their share of time. 
There was a great deal of work needed to make their "paths" 
even passable for horseback riders, and very few to do it. Peo- 
ple were busy with their own affairs, clearing and reclaiming 
land, and it required all the power which the infant colony pos- 
sessed to procure their labor on the roads. 

It is a fact worthy of note that our ancestors, although intense 
lovers of freedom, carried all their measures by fines and force ; 
nothing was done by moral suasion, and Mr. Hall said truly, 
" you are all lords, all monarchs ; y r will must be a law." It 
was a commonwealth of equals which they were attempting to 
established, and how well they succeeded let the present gener- 
ation answer. 

Oct. 20th. Samuel Dudley and John Sanders were author- 
ized to sue for the fines "for pipe-staves." 

"Also, it was ordered that Ralfe blesdale shall keep the ordi- 
nary, & shall have power to draw & sell such in case the Court 
will give him licence." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 35 

Oct. 29th. At a general meeting of the freemen "it was 
ordered that the lane wich turnes by Richard Currier's new 
dwelling house shall goe no further than the end of y c , w ch was 
John ffellers house-lot." Richard Currier was yet in Salisbury, 
east of the Powow. 

Ralfe Blesdell borrowed one thousand pipe-staves of the town 
to pay in twelve months. He, probably, had engaged a large 
number and, being short, solicited a portion of those which had 
been paid in for fines, while he might be able to make them. 

The commoners' committee confirmed all grants of land which 
were made. 

Sept. 19th. Luke Heard sold his house, lot and planting-lot 
to George Brown for _£g. He lived within the circular road, 
■near its junction with the " fferrie road." 

A rate of £8 was ordered "to defray town charges and to 
daub the meeting house." If built in 1640 it would need 
re-daubing or plastering again by this time. The clay mortar, 
although becoming quite hard, would gradually fall off, leaving 
sufficient openings between the logs for the cold to creep in. 

1646. 

Prudential men : Samuel Dudley, Christopher Batt, Henry 
Munday, Edward French, John Eaton. 

"Ralph Blesdale is allowed to draw wine at Salsberry" by the 
General Court this year. He was, as usual, chosen to keep an 
"ordinary" in town, in later times called tavern. Most of the 
town meetings in those times were held at the ordinary. There 
was a petition sent to the General Court by some of the Salis- 
bury people for a new church organization, and a committee 
was appointed, as follows : — 

"Mr. Richard Dumer, Mr. Edward Rawson & Mr. Carleton 
are appointed a committee to search & examine things at Sals- 
berry & make returne of their thoughts thereabouts (concern- 
y e petition of some of y m to be a distinct church) and return 
their thoughts." 

Why this petition was sent to the General Court we have no 
means of knowing ; but it is certain that since the erection of 
two mills on the Powow river, the population had increased in 



36 HISTORY OF AMESEURY. 

this section, and it may be that in their own estimation they 
were able to maintain a minister in their midst, which would be 
a great convenience. Or, it may be that dissentions had crept 
into the church to such an extent that it was deemed advis- 
able to settle the matter by establishing a second one. It has 
been thought by some that this move was to establish a church 
west of the Powow river ; but such could not have been the 
case, as there were few, if any settlers there at this time. The 
most reasonable conclusion is that the intention was to organize a 
second church at the west part of the town, for the conven- 
ience of the settlers there. 

April 2 1 st. It was "ordered that the fence between Samuel 
ffelloes & Phillip Challice his house shall be sett up in the 
same place where it was wont to stand, pVided the pties make 
a sufficient gate for the use of y e Contry." Phillip Challice 
seems to have been in Salisbury (old town) at this time, by 
the above order. 

It was "ordered that the lane w ch turn at Richard Currier's 
new house goe no farther thau John Fuller's planting-lot." 

A rate of ^20 was ordered to pay the expenses of the town. 

John Eaton, sen., was chosen grand juror. 

Samuel Winsley, who, like many others, was engaged in the 
fishing business, was allowed " the acre reserved for fisherie on 
an island by the river side in Mr. Hook's bounds, as long as 
he continues fishing." 

The bounty on wolves was fixed this year at £1, 10 s., and 
on foxes at 1 s. each. 

1647. 

Prudential men : Samuel Dudley, Robert Pike, Thomas Brad- 
bury, Ralfe Blasdell, Thomas Macy, Philip Challis and Samuel 
Winsley. 

This year a stringent law was passed, requiring every town- 
ship of fifty families to maintain a school, and the preamble to 
the law is worthy of being read by every one : — 

" It being one cheife p r iect of y l ould deluder, Satan, to keepe 
men from the knowledge of y e Scriptures, as in form r times, by 
keeping y m in an unknowne tongue, so in these latt r times by 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 37 

p r swading from y e use of tongues y' so, at least, y e true sence & 
meaning of y e originall might be clouded by false glosses of 
saint-seeming deceivers, y l learning may not be buried in y e grave 
of o r fath rs in y e church & commonwealth, the Lord assisting 
our endeavors, — 

It is, therfore, ord r ed, y l evry towneship in this jurisdiction, 
aft r y e Lord hath increased y m to y e number of 50 household rs , 
shall then forthwith appoint one with" their towne to teach all 
such children as shall resort to him to write & reade." 

This has the right ring and sets forth the best of all reasons 
for a general education of all the children, viz. : That the 
"ould deluder" may lose his influence over the people by a 
general diffusion of light and knowledge. This advice, in the 
shape of law, was willingly obeyed, and the town hired a teacher 
and agreed to pay him in provisions. 

Ralph Blasdell was granted four acres "above the mill in the 
new meadow." This mill, which is several times mentioned, 
was evidently on " little river," which is, also, frequently named. 
Little river is near the railroad crossing at East Salisbury, extend- 
ing along down to the meadows, and has, at present, an old 
saw mill standing on it and the remains of an old dam near 
the Hon. Streeter Evans' residence. In the dry season there is 
but little water running, but at other times sufficient to carry 
the mills. It is possible and probable that a mill was built on 
this stream even before William Osgood built on the Powow. 
There is a mill and mill road mentioned in 1639, some three 
years before the grant to Mr. Osgood, and it is reasonable to 
conjecture that settlers in this section would seek to accommo- 
date themselves as well as possible and as soon as possible- 
The first mills were built on small streams, requiring but little 
expense to erect the dams and buildings. The settlers around 
"the green" would hardly think of doing without a mill, or 
of building it some four miles away. 

Jan. 27th. An order was passed forbidding any person from 
gathering more than "two loads of candlewood off the comon 
yearly for any use w'ever upon the penalty of twenty shillings 
p r load." 



38 • HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Feb. 8th. The Prudential men ordered all fences set up by 
the i st of April. For years the matter of fences has been taken 
in hand at the meetings held the latter part of February, and 
it is a little remarkable that the time fixed for complete repairs 
was much earlier than at present. 

Feb. 24th. The Prudential men repealed the order about 
candlewood, but forbid any one from burning "any kelne " of 
it under ^5 fine. 

Goats were very generally kept and were very troublesome, 
so that it became necessary to fine the owners, who allowed 
them to run at large, 12 d. for every one taken in any "garden, 
corne or orchard, winter or summer." 

Richard North was allowed "fivetie shillings for ringing the 
bell two yeare & a half past and twenty shillings to ring it one 
yeare more." Most of the early meeting houses were built with 
a hopper roof and cupola suitable for a bell, and the sound of 
"the church-going bell" was heard from the first churches erected. 

Sept. 27th. John Hoyt sold to Willi. Holdred his house and 
two-acre lot, but reserved the commonage. He, no doubt, 
removed to the west side of the Powow at this time. 

March 25th. Anthonie Colbie sold to Willi. Sargent,* seaman, his 
house and two-acre lot lying between the house-lots of Jarrett Had- 
don and Henry Browne, and, probably, removed west of the Powow. 

Dec. 2 1 st. John Severance sold to Thomas Bradbury "his 
new and old house and house-lot adjoining on both sides of 
y e street on N. W. side of y e road running into a great swamp 
y e middle of it." 

In an old deed dated this year, John Harrison is described 
as "Cordish maker of Boston." 

"Ralph Blasdell is alowed to draw wine at Salsberry, pays y e 
rent appointed by y e last ord r of Co r te." 

1648. 

Prudential men : Christopher Batt, Thomas Bradbury, Edward 
French, Isaac Buswell, Richard Wells. 

Constables : Edward French and Samuel Winsley. 
Fence viewers : Richard North and Samuel Fellows. 
Surveyors of highways : John Dickinson and John Clough. 
*See 164S. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. • 39 

Rev. Mr. Worcester had leave " to fell trees on the common 
for 2000 pipe-staves." 

The regulations about goats were repealed so far as to impose 
no fine if " the fence was 4 feet high and built of good rails, 
& there were no stumps that they could climb on to so that 
they might leap over," but otherwise damages were to be col- 
lected. Most of- the fields were yet dotted with stumps which 
had not decayed. Goat herds were kept on the commons under 
the care of a herdsman who was paid by those who turned in. 
The fences were mostly built of rails and posts, but sometimes 
by stakes or "pales" set in the ground; very little stone wall 
had as yet been built. Rail fence must consist of four large 
rails or five small ones. The fences were ordered to be set up 
by April 1st this year. 

The order about wolves and foxes was repealed and a new 
one made as follows : 

"And it is now ordered that w l p r son soever shall kill a wolfe 
vv th in y e Towne bounds w th his gunne shall have 10 s. and 
whosoever catcheth or kills them w th a trapp shall have 15 s. 
and whosoever kills them in hunting w th doggs shall have 20 s. 
also 6 d. p r head for foxes." 

Henry Munday, Christopher Batt, Samuel Winsley, Isaac Bus- 
well and Josiah Cobham were chosen grand jurors to Salisbury 
Court. 

June 4th. Samuel Dudley, Samuel Hall and Willie Partridge 
were joined to the Prudential men to settle the matter with Mr. 
Carr about the ferry. 

A rate of ^30 was ordered to pay Mr. Worcester six months' 
salary. 

Dec. 1 8th. A committee was chosen to review the bounds 
next Hampton, consisting of Robert Pike, Samuel Winsley, Wil- 
liam Sargent, Henry Ambros, and Phillip Challis. 

At this meeting " Mr. Winsley, John Stevens, Joh. Severance, 
Henry Broune" were fined 12 d. "a peece for disorderly talking 
in the meeting." 

It seemed to be characteristic of those early settlers that they 
were very much inclined to speak their minds, and in rather 



4-0 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

plain language. What raised the angry discussion is not 
known, but there appears to have been but two subjects before 
the meeting, viz. : the Hampton line and disposal of the "fferry." 
Mr. Winsley was engaged in the fishing business to some extent, 
and may have opposed the proposition of Mr. Carr for renting 
the ferry. The meeting, however, "ordered that Mr. Carr" 
should have the ferry fourteen years upon the terms agreed 
upon by the committee chosen in June. 

George Martin petitioned the General Court for the abate- 
ment of the fine imposed upon his wife by the County Court 
(20 s.), and the matter was referred to Hampton Court. 

March 25th. Willi. Sargent sold the house and lot which he 
bought of Anthony Colby last year to Samuel Felloes. 

Salisbury sent a petition to the General Court for a grant of 
the islands in the river, and at the May session the following- 
order was passed : " Upon the petition of the towne of Sals- 
berry the Co r te conceive it meete that the little iland in Mer- 
rimack be reserved for the countryes use, & the greater iland 
to be given to the towne of Salsberry, reserving a sufficient 
highway for passage of men & cattle, & that the towne may 
have liberty to keepe a ferry on their side." 

" Thomas Rowell being absent from Church was brought 
before the Court for being found in John Bournd house by the 
Constable in time of public ordinances on a lectur day is sen- 
tenced to pay 5 6 and 2 6 fees court." "And John Bournd is 
fined for selling strong water on the same lectur day and 
allowing persons to get drunk in his house." 

1649. 

Prudential men : Samuel Dudley, Christopher Batt, Thomas 
Bradbury, Thomas Macy, Henry Ambros. 

Constables : Willie Allen and William Barnes. 

Jan. 8th. Ralfe Blesdale allowed to mow four acres for keep- 
ing the ordinary. 

Feb. 2d. At a general meeting it was decided that "no 
pipe-stave trees above 18 inches at the but shall be granted to 
any man to be transported out of town under the penalty of 
^5 p r thousand." And for "boults" under the penalty of ,£15 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 4 1 

p r thousand, & hogshead staves ^4 p r thousand, and barrel 
staves ^"3 p r thousand — any kind of heading stuff 40 s. p r thou- 
sand, and this to continue for three years, and not to be altered 
but by consent of every freeman in town." The woods were 
carefully guarded, although there must have been an immense 
amount of growth on the hills and valleys. 

Thomas Whitcher had leave to make three barrels of tar — 
two for Mr. Carr and the other for the town's use. 

Isaac Buswell and George Carr were chosen to call on Newbury 
to lay out the "contry roade from the Island to Mr. Clarks farme." 

Samuel Winsley and Willie Partridge were chosen Constables 
and fined 20 s. each for refusing to serve, and William Barnes 
was chosen. 

Beach common was between the creek and the sea. 

Mr. Cobham was fined 1 s. for refusing to serve as juror. 

Nov. 2d. Thomas Pettitt was admitted a freeman on condi- 
tion that he "live here, and he shall have libertie to dwell in 
the watch house till May day next ensuing." 

Oct. 8th. Thomas Macy sold to George Martyn one-half of 
a twenty-acre lot west of the Powow, for the sum of ^3, 10 s. 
Martyn owned a small lot adjoining this, on which he had built 
a house recently. 

The following bill of sale may serve to illustrate the customs of 
the first settlers to some extent. It is taken from the ancient 
records at Salem : — 

"In consideration of y e q r ter vessell y l I y e s d George Carr 
have made over unto William Hilton, as is in writing expressed, 
have delivered unto y e s d George Carr James my Indian and 
all y e interest I have in him, to him or to his assigns forever, 
& I y e s d William Hilton doe binde myselfe, heirs & assigns to 
George Carr & his assigns to make good y e sale of James the 
Indian w ch I have sold unto y e said George Carr his servant 
forever or to whom y e said George Carr shall assigne. 

Witness this 29 December, 1649. 

Signed and delivered in y e presence of 
Abraham Tappan, William Hilton, 

John Bonde, James y e Indian. 

Edmond Greenlief. his m marke doth 

manifest his consent. 



42 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Abraham Tappan and John Bonde made oathe that they did 
see this writing signed and delivered. 

Sworn to by y e s d Tappan & Bonde y e 24 of y e 10 m. 1670. 
Before me, 

Robert Pike, Commis r ." 

This was by no means a solitary case, for long subsequent to 
this date negroes were bought and sold as suited the wants of 
the people. 

Thomas Bradbury's orchard is mentioned on the record, show- 
ing that in ten years orchards had been planted. The trees 
must have been raised from the seed and were hardly in bearing 
condition. 

Dec. 3d. A meeting has held and an order passed that 
"Anthony Coleby & William Browne shall have power to sease 
upon all pipe-staves & boults, hogshead staves, barrell staves, all 
kinds of heading and the like according to the order — not to 
reach Richard Currier's and George Martin's staves y' are now 
in the woods & eatch of y e one tree, already felled as also sayd 
Currier's boults." 

Dec. 24th. The meeting ordered that all the meadow north 
of Little river to Hall's farm should be reserved for a common. 

Salisbury was this year made a Shire town in the County of 
Norfolk "till further orders from Court." Tradition says the 
courts were held in the Cushing house, a part of which is yet 
standing near East Salisbury on the Beach road and is no doubt 
one of the first houses built subsequent to the log houses. 

March 8th. Willi. Holdred sold to Henry Brown "his dwell- 
ing house and all houses built or bought by him near unto & 
his house lott & y e house lott of John Dickinson & John Hoyt 
which he bought & 2 acres of meadow every thing except 5 
loads dung & y e boards over and against y e oxen & a payer of 
hinges of one of y e doores & y e railes y l lie by y e leantoo side 
also his commonage & two of y e apple trees w ch y e s d William 
shall make choice of." 

Henry Biley who received a lot on the eastern side of the 
circular road, between John Sanders and Robert Ring, was dead 
in 1648 and his widow petitioned the General Court for leave 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 43 

to sell the farm, and was referred to Salisbury Court which granted 
leave and appointed Christopher Batt and Robert Pike to see 
that the children (Henry and Rebecca) had the money when 
of age. 

The house and several lots were sold April 24th, to Henry 
Ambros, including "all comons & town privileges." 

The widow subsequently married John Hall of Hampton, and 
again Rev. William Worcester. 

1650. 

John Stevens and Samuel Fellows were surveyors of high- 
ways. 

Feb. 7th. A bounty of 30 s. was ordered for each wolf killed, 
and the order to stand three years. 

A rate of ^22 was ordered to be collected forthwith to pay 
town debts. 

The constable was ordered to collect a fine of 2 s. 6 d. from 
Willie Partridge " for putting in a contrary name in writing for 
a constable." The office of constable was, at this early period, 
a very important one and not very desirable. Mr. Partridge 
had refused to serve in that capacity, and now votes against the 
regular candidate, who was getting nearly all the votes, and is 
fined. This was Puritan freedom such as occasionally cropped 
out in the colony. At this meeting the fines of all who had 
neglected to attend town meetings were abated. 

A general meeting was held February 1 8th and " Steven 
Flanders " was admitted a townsman " on condition that he 
constantly keep the town heard of cows." A tract of land was 
granted him beyond " Willi. Allen's house, near Samuel Hall's." 
It was but an acre and a half for a house-lot. 

The .matter of fencing was wholly regulated by the town, even 
to the number of rails in the different sections. For instance : 
From John Dickenson's ( ffitts his corner ) to Little river, it was 
ordered "to be sett upp with 5 rails," and the range of plant- 
ing from John Dickinson's to y e farthest corner towards y e 
mill, shall be sett upp w th a fence of fouer rayles, and from the 
corner to the boggie meddow w th three rayles." It was built 
according to what herd was pastured against it. 



44 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

March 25th. Christopher Batt, Samuel Winsley, Samuel Hall. 
Robert Pike and Thomas Bradbury were authorized to confirm 
all grants of land not previously confirmed. 

Nov. 23d. The town gave William Osgood liberty to use all 
the pine trees on the common west of the path that goes from 
the house of John Bayly unto Exeter, on condition that he set 
up a saw mill before the last of May, 1652, and, if not finished 
then, the liberty to be void. For this privilege he was to pay 
the town fifty feet of merchantable boards or planks for every 
thousand feet he sawed. Other townsmen were allowed to 
"make use of any pine trees either for canoes or to saw w th 
y e whipsaw, or for any other saw mill, but not to fall any pine 
trees and let them lay two months." Where this second mill 
was to be located does not appear, but it is hardly probable 
that the East Salisbury people would grant any favors to a sec- 
ond mill on the Powow. It is more probable that Little river 
was its location, if ever built. The affidavit of Richard Currier 
in 1682 mentions the old mill, but makes no reference to a 
second. 

April 1 2th. George Martin bought Anthony Sadler's house 
and land west of the Powow, described as follows : " Between 
lands of John Hoyt and Willi. Osgood butting upon the river, 
mnning 60 rods upwards from y e river side next to John Hoyt's 
unto a stake within 3 rods of Josiah Cobham's fence, & then 
by Osgood's land to the river." Anthony's wife, Martha, had pre- 
viously notified the Court of her objections to his selling, but she 
signed the deed at this time. Tradition^ fixes the home of John 
Hoyt where Robert W. Patten, Esq., now lives, and the Sadler 
lot was, probably, the next north. It is believed that John was 
a brickmaker as well as planter, and, probably, was the first man- 
ufacturer of that article in town. In December of this year, 
Haverhill offered him three-quarters of an acre of land and, 
also, some clay pits, to remove there, which would seem to indi- 
cate pretty strongly that he was a brickmaker. George Martin 
was, at this time, living on his Macy lot, south of John Hoyt's 
and not far from East Greenwood street. 

Anthony Sadler was a shoemaker ( and, probably, fisherman ) 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 45 

owning a house-lot nearly opposite Mr. Stevens' on the circular 
road, and twelve acres near the meadow. Eleven days after 
selling his Amesbury farm he was drowned ; but how or where 
the record does not state. 

Sept. 29th. Christopher Batt sold his homestead next to Mr. 
Bradbury's to Isaac Buswell and his son Willi, for ^52. It 
included four acres of upland and six acres of meadow adjoin- 
ing, which may be known by "two islands of upland lying in 
the same." The eastern boundary was the drift- way to the Town 
creek. He is said to have been a tanner, and was a large land- 
holder in the various divisions. Batt's hill, near Edmund and 
Robie Morrill's, has served to hand down the name for more 
than two centuries. He removed to Boston, where he was acci- 
dently shot some ten years later. By the Sale,m records we find 
that he sold several large tracts of land at Salisbury. 

1651. 

Samuel Winsley had permission to fence in " half a rod square 
at his wife's grave in the burying place." 

At a meeting held February 3d, the record mentions " Salt- 
panns," and it is a matter of tradition that salt was made from 
the salt water at this early day to supply the wants of the settle- 
ment. The location of these "salt panns" or salt works was 
at or near Hook's creek. 

Richard Goodale was granted a house-lot by the pound on 
condition that he build on it. 

Feb. 10th. A committee consisting of Samuel Winsley, Thomas 
Bradbury and Phillip Challis was chosen to settle the bounds 
next to Hampton, and were allowed 2 s. 9 d. per day for their 
services. 

March 20th. A rate of ^35 was ordered towards repairing 
and finishing the meeting house and paying town debts. 

Richard Batt and Anthonie Nuland were granted six acres at 
Ring's island, with the right reserved for the town to " set up 
a stage and flakes for fishing" on the same. 

Vallentine Rowell, son of Thomas Rowell, was made a towns- 
man this year. He came west of the Powow river at an early 
date. 



46 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

April nth. George Martyn sold his house and land to Philip 
Challis. It is described as follows : "His dwelling house & 
Lott belonging thereunto, being seven score rodd of ground over 
& above the one full and compleat half of that lott w ch was 
given by y e Town of Salisbury unto Thomas Macy, & sold by 
him unto the saycl George Martyn. The said land being and 
lying upon the west side of the Powas river, between y e lotts of 
Willi. Sargant & John Hoyt, one end butting upon the river & 
the other upon land of Thomas Barnard." Martyn bought this 
lot of Macy October 3d, 1649, an< ^ built a house thereon, or 
already owned one on the "seven score rodd" adjoining. It 
was half of Macy's twenty-acre lot, and Thomas Barnard owned 
the west end. The above is, in all probability, the date of the 
removal of Philip Challis to the new town. 

June 4th. George Martin mortgaged his house and land to 
Samuel Hall " for y e payment of 3500 white oake pipestaves." 

"9 mo., 165 1. John Baily, living here and his wife in Eng- 
land, is sentenced by Court that he is injoined to return unto 
his wife by next summer or send for his wife to come over to 
him." * But she never came, as Mr. Bayly died soon after this 
order. 

1652. 

Jan. 19th. Samuel Groome made a townsman. 

Jan. 26th. " Ordered that the old meeting house shall be 
repaired w th an addition of a new frame of twelve foot," and "it 
is left to Edward French & John Severance to agree w th any 
Carpenter or joyners for the speedy finishing of the same w th 
convenient seats & w l else is necessary to y e sayd house." A 
rate was made to meet the expenses, but at a meeting held 
February 2d, it was decided to add sixteen feet instead of 
twelve. The addition was frame work, and the fact that it was 
specially designated as such would rather seem to indicate that 
the old house was built of logs and, if built previous to the 
completion of William Osgood's saw mill in 1641, there can be 
little doubt that it was. 

A general division of the commons was talked of at this 

*Court Records. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 47 

time, but it was not deemed prudent to hurry matters, and a 
vote was passed "that there should be nothing done at any 
meeting without notice left at every house, and then not until 
agitated att three several Towne meetings." Meetings were not 
called by warrants, as at present, but by the Prudential men 
upon such notice as they saw fit to give. This order was intended 
to check even the Prudential men by requiring special notice 
and three meetings before common lands could be given out. 

Feb. 1 2th. Edward Cottle was made a townsman "upon con- 
dition that he shall make a resignation of w l rite of commonage 
belongs to Willi. Holdred to y e use of y e Towne." He received 
a grant of two acres in the new meadows. 

Feb. 23d. Samuel Winsley and Abraham Morrill were chosen 
to divide the neck towards the ferry, which division had already 
been ordered. 

Thomas Macy was given all the meadow left at the new 
meadows ( or some particular part thereof) after Edward Cottle 
got his in lieu of a former grant. 

In the -division of meadows, the right to pass over was reserved 
to those owning lots joining the shore, and " Anthony Colbie & 
Jarrett Haddon were appointed to stake out the paths three rods 
wide." 

The great neck was ordered to be laid out as an ox com- 
mon, but to continue an ox and cow common this year as 
before. Also, the meadow towards the Merrimac river, begin- 
ing at the bridge at John Sanders', at the upper end of the 
meadow. There was some opposition to this order, and Phillip 
Challis, Willi. Osgood, Willi. Allin, Willi. Sargent, Vallentine Row- 
ell, John Hoyt, Anthonie Colbie, Steven Flanders, Samuel Getch- 
ell, John Gyll, George Martyn and John Clough entered their 
" contre descent." It was decided to give up "Elder's Cove" 
to the cow-common which lay north of the Little river toward 
Hampton. 

The boundary line between Pentucket and Salisbury seems 
to have been in dispute, as Lieut. Pyke was ordered "to returne 
to Pentuckett answer that for the p r sent the Towne sees no rea- 
son to alter the lyne, but shall be willing to attend any reason- 
able motion farther about it." 



40 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

John Bayly, sen., died this year, and his will was proved April 
13th. He gave his house at Salisbury to his son John during 
his lifetime, and then to John, jr., son of Joseph, he paying 
the widow J^b if she came over to Nuberryland. He gave to 
his daughter Joannah, wife of William Huntington, and her hus- 
band, his house and land which he bought of Vail. Rowell west 
of the Powow. 

Dec. 1 st. William Huntington deeded to John Bayly, weaver, 
"his dwelling house and 5 acres lying between John Weeds and 
John Bayly's, sen., deceased, joining to Jarrett Haddon's land ; 
also, a 20 acre lot of upland, next Richard Wells, butting on 
river south and common ground north." 

Jan. 4th, 1653. John Bayly deeded these same lots, his wife 
Elenor joining in the deed, to Joannah Huntington and her son 
John and daughter Mary. It may be a question whether the 
house and land specified in the will of John Bayly, sen., is the 
same deeded to John Bayly, jr., by William ; but it is certain 
that William and his wife sold the house and five acres in 1662 
to John Maxfield. This house and lot was, probably, located at 
the ferry, as it joined Jarrot Haddon's land and is not described 
as bounded by the river at all. It is probable that he removed 
to Pleasant valley at the time he sold this house. 

From the following deposition it would seem that ship build- 
ing was carried on at this early date on the Merrimac river, 
and that the first saw mill was doing a good work. 

" The deposition of Nathan Gould, aged 68 years or there- 
abouts, Testyfyeth and sayth that in y e yeare 1652, in Septem- 
ber, he came into this Country and Town, and the saw mill at 
Salesbury was then built and going and had gone that somer 
as did appear by the heapes of Bord then at the s d Mill, of 
w ch boards this deponent had some to build his Shedd. He 
further sayth that folks told him that it did saw the plank for 
Mr. Greaves vessel that was gone, and he this deponent saw 
her in Boston and further sayth not. 

Before Robert Pike, Sept. 23, 1682. 

The mill had, no doubt, been in operation ten years when 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



49 



this deposition describes the work it had done. It was ordered 
in 1 64 1, and the price of sawing fixed; and it is certain that 
it was built by William Osgood, who had the first grant. 

This year a mint was established at Boston, and John Hull 
appointed mint master. The famous pine-tree shillings were 
coined at this date. 

The second prison was built at Ipswich this year. 

The records of the first church in Boston mention the appear- 
ance of a comet, as follows : " December ninth, a large star 
with a long blaze appeared. It grew less and less till the twenty- 
second, when it disappeared. The reverend John Cotton died 
the twenty-third of December." 

• All comets were believed to be omens and attended by some 
marked event, generally of evil. 

Hugh Parsons, of Springfield, was tried for witchcraft, but, 
owing to disagreement between the jury and magistrates, was 
acquitted. 

Soon after the mill was completed, a bridge was built across 
the Powow to enable those having land on the west side to 
haul in logs and pass to and from their premises. 

Feb. 28th. A meeting was held and "Anthony Colby and 
Richard Currier given power to lay out a road from y e mill 
bridge to y e plain that goeth to y e Lyons mouth." It would be 
impossible to designate the exact location of this ancient road, 
which was to be four rods wide and, no doubt, intended for a 
permanent highway. 

1653. 

John Ilsley was appointed to keep the town's powder, bullets 
and match. This was an important matter at this time and 
required constant care. The importance of the "town stock" 
will be seen by the fact that the Salisbury Court was this year 
broken up by Indian troubles. 

In September, Mr. Batt sued the town for a division of 
meadow and the case was tried at the Salisbury Court and 
decided against him. He appealed to the Court of Assistants 
and the decision was reversed ; but, on being carried up to the 
General Court, was again decided in favor of Salisbury. 

7 



50 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1654. 

At what precise time the settlement of Amesbury commenced 
or how many crossed the Powow at a time and erected their 
log cabins near its borders can never be known. Tradition has 
it that first came nine and subsequently eight more families, 
but there is little if any proof of such being the fact. It is 
more probable that a few ventured across after several families 
had settled near the mill in Salisbury. 

Jarrett Haddon sold his house in Salisbury April 5th, 1644, 
and there is no record of any purchase again in the old town, 
and it is probable that he came over at that time. 

John Hoyt sold his house and lot in Salisbury September 27th, 
1647, an d> no doubt, came across the Powow. 

William Sargent sold his house and lot in Salisbury March 
25th, 1648, and George Martyn bought of Thomas Macy a ten- 
acre lot west of the Powow October 3d, 1649, on which he 
built a house. 

At an earlier date (1645) a committee was chosen, consist- 
ing of John Sanders, John Stevens and Thomas Macy, to "appoint 
where the highways shall lie beyond y e Pawwaus River from y e 
mill to y e houses where they shall think most convenient." It 
is by no means certain, however, that houses were already built 
here, as the order may very properly be construed to mean 
where they were to be located. The most prominent men were 
certainly east of the Powow at this time. Richard Currier had 
just bought a new house there, Thomas Macy was there and 
so was John Hoyt. There were now, however, enough to organ- 
ize and adopt certain articles of agreement, defining the rights 
of the new and old town, as follows : — 

"Articles of agreement covenanted, made and concluded upon 
y e 14th of y e 1 st mo. one thousand six hundred fifty fower 
between the inhabitants of the old towne of Salisbury & the 
inhabitants of that which is commonly the new town, witness- 
ing, as followeth, viz. : 

First : It is concluded and agreed upon between the afore- 
named inhabitants that the whole common shall be divided 
between them, as followeth, viz. : that the inhabitants of y e new 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 5 I 

towne shall have for their full part and portion of the said 
common all those lands which lie upon the west side of the 
pawwaus river up to Haverhill bounds & the said river to divide 
the bounds between the new town and the old town of Salis- 
bury, viz. : that branch of the sayd river on which the mills 
now stand and all the remaynder of the common besides what 
is before expressed is agreed and concluded upon by both par- 
ties aforesaid to bee the full part and portion of the inhabi- 
tants of the old towne for their bounds. 

2ly : It is, also, concluded & agreed upon between the afore- 
said inhabitants of each towne that all the lands in the p r sent 
possession of either parties shall be rated unto y l towne only 
wherein the proprietors now dwell, as also the saw mill shall be 
rated to that towne wherein the owners live, according to their 
parts and proportion of the said mill provided the owners live 
in one of the said townes. 

3ly : It is further agreed upon by the said inhabitants of 
each towne that three parts of the yearly rent of the p r sent 
saw mill shall belong unto the inhabitants of the old towne and 
the other fourth part of the yearly rent of the said mill unto 
the inhabitants of the new towne forever. 

4ly : It is also concluded and agreed upon by y* inhabitants 
of y e new towne that the inhabitants of the old town shall have 
full power & libertie to feed the after grass of all the meadows 
or marshes that doe or shall belong unto the said inhabitants 
of y e new towne in that tract of ground meadow or marsh 
which lies from the hog house to Merrimack Rivers mouth & 
so to y e extent of y c bounds to Hampton Rivers mouth, and 
the said inhabitants of the new towne them their heirs & assigns 
shall not at any time any ways lett or hinder or interrupt the 
inhabitants of the old town from feeding the said meadows or 
marshes as aforesaid. 

5ly : It is also agreed upon by the inhabitants of the new 
towne that William Osgood a present inhabitant of the old 
towne shall have libertie for himself his heirs and successors to 
keep eight cows upon the new town common with their cow- 
heard allowing to their heardsman the like pay that the said 



5 2 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



inhabitants doe both for quantity and qaulitie according to their 
order and agreement & to pay rates for the said cows during 
the time of their going with the said heards. 

61y : It is also agreed and concluded upon by the inhabi- 
tants of each partie as aforesaid that the inhabitants of the new 
towne shall have their full proportion of all the common stock 
of ammunition and the drum which is in their p r sent possession 
and the inhabitants of the old town shall have their proportion 
of the said amunition and the new drum, as also the Colors. 

7th : It is further agreed and concluded by eache party that 
the said inhabitants of the new towne shall contribute to the 
mayntenance of the ministry of the old town untill such tyme 
as the said inhabitants of the new towne do call one to exer- 
cise among them in the work of the ministry, & allow him 
mayntenance from which time the said inhabitants shall be freed 
from contributing any longer towards the mayntenance of the 
ministry of the old towne as aforesaid. 

81y : Last of all it is fully concluded and agreed upon by 
the inhabitants of each towne that the said townes upon the 
assignment of the aforesaid articles of agreement shall bee abso- 
lutely dismist of themselves & have no farther to meddle with 
the affairs of each other in any towne matters whatsoever, in 
witness whereof the inhabitants of each towne aforesaid have to 
these present articles of agreement enterchangably put to their 
hands the first of the third month one thousand six hundred 
fifty fower : 

Sam Winsley, sen., 

The marke of 

Georg Goldwyer, 

The H marke of 

Jn° Hoyt, 

William Buswell, 

Edward French, 

The A marke of 

William Allen, 

The f marke of 

Sam Felloes, 



Tho. Bradbury, 
Tho. Macy, 
Ant. Colby, 
The f mark of 
Joseph Moyce, 
The 11 mark of 
Edw. Cottle, 
John Weed, 
William Barnes, 
his 7 marke 
Geo. M. Martin, 



The W marke of Thomas Barnard, 



Richard Currier, 
Jaret Hadon, 
The T marke of 
Vail. Rowell, 
The T marke of 
Tho. Carter, 
The R marke of 
John Rolf, 
John Eaton, 
Phillip Challis, 
The F marke of 
Isaac Buswell. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 53 

William Osgood, Henry Browne, The ^ marke of 

John I Stevens, Roger Eastman, Richard North." 

his marke, his 7 marke, 

Mr. Thomas Macy was deputy this year. 

March 2 2d. George Martyn sold the right of commonage, 
which he bought of John Cole in 1643, to John Maxfield, for 
a heifer. 

It is worthy of note that notwithstanding the virtual separation 
by agreement, part of the old town's officers were annually chosen 
from the new town up to the legal incorporation in 1666. The 
new town had a complete set of town officers for their own munici- 
pal matters, but as they were taxed for certain purposes in the 
old town, officers were there chosen for the new as well as old. 

The territory thus set apart for a new town was large, extend- 
ing to "y e great country pond" or further and embracing a 
large amount of territory now within the bounds of New Hamp- 
shire. The soil is generally good and the territory is dotted with 
numerous hills which give a great variety of scenery. Near the 
center of the town is Kimball's pond, the Indian name of which 
is Attitash. This is a beautiful sheet of water about one mile 
in diameter, with the noble Pond hills on the south and north, 
and Bear hill on the west. The western section is diversified 
by numerous hills which speck its surface to the river's banks 
which in several places tower high above the tide. The principal 
plains are "Pond plain" near the center burying ground and 
extending south nearly to the river; the large plain at West 
Amesbury; "Ben Merrill's" plain near Sandy hill meeting-house, 
and the plain at "Martin place." 

1655. 

The following from the records will show the organization of 
the town : — 

"At a meeting of the Inhabitants y e 19th day of y e 1st month 
54 and 55 it was agreed and concluded that these men here 
after mentioned are accounted present Inhabitants and Com- 
moners here in y e new town." 

At the same meeting "It was agreed that they do enter into 



54 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

a combination for y e carrying on of all matters that do concern 
the town or plantation according to terms hereunto written." 
"That all matters of publicke concernment be ordered by the 
major part of the whole company of the inhabitants, provided 
that the matters they do act on shall be carryed on according 
to law, provided also that each man of y e aforesaid company 
have notice of all bisness according to law and all including 
what y e bisness or all y e gen 1 bisness is that is to be transacted 
at any meeting to be warned as Alowed." 

"Also it is agreed that three men of y e Inhabitants when 
they judge it needful for y e public concernment shall have power 
to assemble the Inhabitants at any time provided that one of 
the three men so agreeing be a ffreeman ffer y e full manifest- 
ing of our consent and agreement." 

"We the Inhabitants have hereunto set our hands the day 
and year above written. 

Anthony Colby, John Bayly, Orlando Bagly, 

John Hoyt,* William Huntington, Henry Blasdell,' 

Phillip Challis, Valentine Rowell, Thomas Macy, 

George Martin,* Thomas Barnard, William Sargent, 

Jarrot Haddon, Edward Cottle, William Barnes,* 

Richard Currier, John Weed, John Colby." 

The meeting having fixed the number of commoners and 
passed upon various other matters, it was important that a clerk 
should be chosen to make the record ; and the following order 
was passed : — 

"At the same meeting it was ordered that Thomas Macy 
shall record the orders of the Company & to this end shall have 
3 d. a meeting allowed to him and also apointed to record all 
& every the Articles of Agreement made between the old town 
& us." 

"At the same meeting it was agreed that what staves are 
made upon the common by the tyme the articles between the 
old town and us were agreed upon that whoever has made pipe- 
staves hogshead staves barrel staves or heading shall pay to the 

*Made their marks. The above signatures were on the original book made 
and used by Thomas Macy till his flight to Nantucket, and were the names of 
all legal townsmen at this date. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 55 

town half a hundred upon every thousand and deliver them 
unto the men appointed by the town as soon as they are brought 
to the water side & this order extends to all which are already 
solde for ye ends." 

"Also William Barnes and Richard Currier are appointed to 
take account of all staves due to the town and examine them 
for the town & to give account to s d company when they shall 
call for it. Also the same men are appointed to take accompt 
of y e saw mill wh ch doe saw for ye use of y e town." 

The town claimed tribute from those persons who cut trees 
to make staves and trees to be sawed at the Salisbury mill on 
the common. It was all common land which had not been 
given out. 

Mr. Samuel Hall was deputy this year for Salisbury. 

"At a meeting y e same day (March 19th, 1655,) of y e Inhab- 
itants it was agreed and voted that the number of Inhabitants 
that shall be commoners shall not exceed the number of twenty 
six without the consent of every Inhabitant of y e plantation." 

"The same day it was ordered that James George have the 
privilege of a townsman and commoner on this condition, that 
if he leave the place before he is settled on his own land or 
land of the aforesayd grant, that then the aforesayd privilege 
shall again return to the plantation." 

It appears by the Massachusetts records, vol. 1, that the fol- 
lowing of the first settlers took the oath of freemen before the 
General Court, as follows, viz. : " Jarret Haddon and Anthony 
Colby, May 14, 1634; Willie Sargent, 3d mo., 1639, 22 d; 
Thomas Masie, 6th day of the 7th mo., 1639 ; William Barnes, 
2d, 4th mo., 1641 ; John Bayly, May 19, 1669" — but the others 
do not appear on the Court records. The first eighteen exer- 
cised full authority and limited the number of Commoners to 
twenty-six, but accessions were gradually made to the inhabi- 
tants and allowed all the rights and privileges of the original 
settlers. 

At a meeting May 1st "It was ordered that all the dry cat- 
tel that should not be payd for being kept in the heard be 
turned into the town pasture the 2 of May 55." 



56 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"ffurther it was ordered the same day that if any man suffer 
his cattel that are put away as aforesayd to go with the heard 
three days together having notice of it he shall pay for y e keep- 
ing halfe the summer & for y e last halfe it is ordered in like 
manner." 

The man who watched the herd was hired, and each person 
who turned in must pay ; hence those cattle not in the herd 
must not be suffered to mix in and thus reap all the advantages 
of those paid. 

The company was now organized and empowered to transact 
all business which related to its own territorial matters, but still 
held to Salisbury for the support of the minister and common 
defence. The inhabitants were not freed from rates assessed 
by the old town for the purpose of repairing roads and all like 
improvements. It was customary, however, to choose one or 
more of the new townsmen on the board of Prudential men 
that they might not be subject to taxation without representa- 
tion. This custom continued till the final separation in 1666. 

1656. 

Soon after the settlement of Salisbury, the business of splitting 
staves from the numerous oaks growing in the dense forests was 
begun and soon became an important item in their means of 
support. The record mentions an agreement of one man to 
deliver 30,000 staves. Small vessels were built on the river, 
principally at Carr's island, by George Carr, and used to ship 
these staves to the West Indies. The town claimed fifty of 
every thousand for the privilege of cutting on the common. It 
is probable that most of these staves were boated from the 
dock at town creek to Newbury, where they were shipped, and 
the many loads lying in numerous piles around the dock in 
early spring must have given that section a business-like appear- 
ance. The wanton destruction of the forests was forbidden 
under penalty of twenty shillings per tree. The yellow pines 
were preserved for the manufacture of tar, and even this was 
placed under certain restriction. 

It was soon found that more than one saw mill was needed, 
and this year Richard Currier and Thomas Macy were author- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 57 

ized to build a saw mill, with the privilege of using all the tim- 
ber on the common not included in the grant to the former 
mill, "excepting oak & the right of the people to make canoes." 

For this privilege they were to pay the town £6 per annum 
for ten years, in boards at current prices. "No logs were to be 
carried to the powwaus river to be sawed, on penalty of ten 
shillings." They agreed to saw all the logs on shares, as the 
following extract from the record shows : — 

"So the said Thomas Macy and Richard Currier dowe ingaieg 
to saw what lagges the towns men bring to the Mill for their 
own use, to saw them to the halfes within a month aftier they 
are brought to the mill if there be watier the first lagges that 
comes to be first sawne and so the rest in order as they are 
brought." 

This new mill was built on the west side of the Powow at 
the falls and was greatly needed, and, no doubt, looked upon 
as quite an achievement. Beside the stately buildings at present 
occupying the location, it would hardly be noticed. The sen- 
tence "if there be water" seems to indicate that the river some- 
times grew dry in those days, and their small dams did not 
enable the mill to run through much of a drouth. The depo- 
sition of Richard Currier in 1682 also confirms this fact. 

From the 19th of March, 1655, to January nth, 1657, no 
general division of land was made, although several persons 
received special grants. At a meeting July 27th, 1656, Joseph 
Peaslee was made a townsman and granted twenty acres of upland 
bought of Thomas Macy, and ten acres of meadow at the pond, 
for which the town agreed to pay J~6 to Thomas Macy. Wil- 
liam Sargent, also, had three acres granted him in consideration 
of land he had laid down, and it was to be laid out in any 
part of the pond meadow he might choose, after ten acres were 
laid out for the town. This Joseph Peaslee, which the com- 
moners received and gave land to quite liberally, was a self- 
constituted preacher, as well as farmer, and eventually proved 
troublesome on that account. He took the oath of freeman 
June 22d, 1642. 

Mr. Thomas Bradbury was deputy this year for Salisbury. 



5 8 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1657. 

At a "generall mieten" of the inhabitants held November 20th, 
there was granted to Nathan Gold eight acres of land lying 
next mill river, adjoining "land to be laid out to Joseph Peas- 
lee, on condition that if he leave town before he have made 
improvement of the said land he shall lay it down to the town 
freely, and if he make improvement of the land and after leave the 
town ore sell the land, that then the town shall have liberty to 
porchase the same, giving the same price that a nother shap- 
man will." 

"On the 29th of November another "ginerall miting" was 
held and a "township was granted unto Nathan Gold on the 
same condition which the land was granted unto him as is 
above recorded." The idea seemed to be that Nathan would 
not stop long in town, and so they made his grant conditional. 
Nathan Gold remained in town, and a long line of descendants 
after him. Edward Cottle also received a grant of an acre of 
land in satisfaction of a "hiy way" taken out of his lot, and 
Richard Currier and " Antony " Colby were to lay it out. In 
December the selectmen of " Hafriell " viz.: "Goriey Brown 
and Theophiaus Shatinwell," joined with the Salisbury selectmen 
to lay out the bounds between the two towns, according to the 
order of the General Court. 

Oct. 1.4th. The line between Hampton and Salisbury was run 
by John Appleton, Joseph Medcalf, Will Bartholomew and Dan- 
iel Perse, by order of the Court. 

1658. 

Jan. 1 st. "Thomas Barnard and John Weed were chosen for 
ordering the prudential affairs of the Company, and the extent 
of their power is according to the prudential men chosen last 
year the men being chosen for y e yeare insuing." 

"The same day it was ordered the great swamp shall be 
given out to all the Inhabitants in the p r portion hereafter men- 
tioned and these seven men hereafter mentioned shall have ton 
acres every man Edward Cottle George Martyn, William Hown- 
tinton, John Colby, Hinrey Blasdal James George and all y e rest 
of y e inhabitants shall have every man three acres and so accord- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 59 

ing to the same proporcion every man shall have of the inhab- 
itants to y e full quantity of the swamp aforesayd, reserving 
fourty rod at y e end of the swamp next y e Pawwas river for the 
public use of the plantation the s d fourty rode to lye in the 
lengh of the swamp joining y e River & also it was ordered that 
Thomas Barnard John Hoyt & John Weed shall measure the 
sayd swamp & lay it out by lots after the aforesayd p r portion 
according as they think necessary & then the inhabitants 
are to cast lots for every mans p r portion also the men above 
mentioned shall be payd two shillings & six pence p r day for their 
worke to be payd by those that have y e land." 

This order was not carried into effect this year, nor until 
1664, as we find by a subsequent record. It was purely wood 
lots, and there was no hurry about it ; all had wood enough 
and more than enough. 

Jan. 25th. A general meeting was held and Thomas Macy 
received a grant of one-half of a piece of meadow near Haver- 
hill line, and Richard Currier and Edward Cottle the remainder. 
George Martyn was not pleased with this arrangement, and 
entered his " Contra dissent." 

At this meeting Thomas Barnard and John Weed were chosen 
standing "Lot Layers," and served a great many years. 

At this meeting there was granted to John Weed ten acres 
of land for a highway taken out of his land, and, by the 
description given and a renewal of its boundaries by the com- 
mittee in 1694, it seems to have been on the corner of the 
Buttonwood road, where Mr. Thomas Page's barn now stands. 
There was, also, given Thomas Barnard a strip of land three 
rods wide the length of his house-lot on the north side of his 
house. 

May 26th. Sergeant John Hoyt and Sergeant Stephens peti- 
tioned the General Court that Philip Challis might be con- 
firmed "Left to y e foot Corny in Salisbury," and it was referred 
to the next county court. 

Oct. 29th. A general meeting was held and a large tract of 
land beyond the pond, bordering on Back river, was ordered 



6o HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

to be laid out in lots eighty rods long, ranging southerly, and 
given to the following persons in quantity, as below : — 

To Anthony Colby, sixty acres ; 

To Philip Challis, sixty acres ; 

To Joseph Piesly, forty acres ; 

To John Hoyt, forty acres ; 

To Jerrod Haddon, forty acres ; 

To Thomas Barnard, forty acres ; 

To William Sargent, forty acres ; 

To Thomas Macy, forty acres ; 

To Richard Currier, forty acres ; 

To George Martin, forty acres ; 

To Valentine Rowell, forty acres ; 

To Edward Cottle, forty acres ; 

To Henry Blasdell, forty acres ; 

To William Huntinton, forty acres ; 

To Nathan Gold, ten acres ; 

To James George, ten acres ; 

To William Barnes, forty acres ; 

To John Colby, forty acres ; 

To John Baily, forty acres. 
This year an attempt was made to obtain a legal separation 
from the old town, the inhabitants feeling that they could sup- 
port preaching nearer home, this being the test question with 
the General Court. Accordingly, on the 26th of May, the new 
town of Salisbury petitioned the General Court "to be a dis- 
tinct town & make provision for the maintenance of public wor- 
ship ;" but the Court having "heard what the inhabitants of 
the old towne & new Salisbury by their Deputy and Attorney 
could say, the Court judged it not meete to grant y e inhabitants 
of the new town of Salisbury their petition, but doe declare and 
order ffor the present, that they shall attend the worship of 
God together in the old toune and that they contribute their 
several proportions for the maintenance and continuance of the 
same amongst them." The opposition from the old town came 
with rather an ill grace after having nearly forced the settle- 
ment of the new town under articles of agreement, which virtu- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 6 3 

ally established a separation. They could hardly spare the tax 1 
paid by the new town for the support of preaching, and this was, 
no doubt, the cause of their opposition. The contest was a 
sharp one. The new town appeared by their counsel and the 
old town by their deputy. 

The command was entirely disregarded, Joseph Peasley con- 
tinuing to preach and the people refusing to attend meeting at 
the Salisbury church. Finally, at the October term of the Gen- 
eral Court, it was ordered " that the recorder for the County 
of Norfolke, fforthwith issue out his warrants requiring Joseph 
Peasley, & the rest of the inhabitants of the new toune, being 
masters of families, or at their owne dispose, to make theire per- 
sonall appearances before the next County Court to be held at 
Salisbury, to answer for their disobedjence to authorjtie in not 
complying w th sajd order ; and the sajd County Court is hereby 
impowered, authorized, & required to proceede ag l all such of 
them as in their appearance shall not fully make it cleare they 
haue, since the sajd order, performed theire duty and repajred 
to the public worship of God on the Lord's day at the ould 
toune, to fine them for every days absence there, five shillings." 

William Osgood and Robert Quinby bought of Roger East- 
man a house and ten acres of land west of the Powow for 
^16 sterling, adjoining William Sargent's land and west of the 
road to the mills. The deed bears date February 28th, 165 8. 
Robert Quinby married Elisabeth Osgood, daughter of William 
Osgood, sen., and the farm was for the use of Robert, who 
was a ship carpenter. 

Aug. 20th. Thomas Macy mortgaged to Rodah Gove of 
Roxbury "1-3 of all his part of saw mill at y e new towne & 
all utensils & privileges & his dwelling house in said new town 
in the precincts of Salisbury with 3 acres of upland thereto 
adjoining with the orchard, garden, barn out house more or less 
bounded by Pawwaus river east, the street west & the land of 
Richard Currier south," and, also, several other pieces. 

The description of his homestead fixes his residence near 
Powow river, where most of the first settlers built their houses. 



62 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1659. 

At a general meeting of the inhabitants February 14th " a 
grant was made to Lovetenent Robert Pike of common right 
amongst us upon condition he com to dwell among us. " It 
would seem from the foregoing that Lieut. Pike had some 
thoughts of coming across the Powow to settle — but he never 
came. At this meeting the road from Daniel F. Morrill's to the 
river was ordered to be laid out six rods wide, and was after- 
wards known as the six rod highway. It was laid between 
Capt. Pike's land and the Indian ground. 

There was yet plenty of land in town not disposed of, and 
it was concluded to give the children a section, as the following 
vote shows : — 

"At this metin ther is given to the children under mentioned 
five howndried acres of land upon the north west of the pond 
a miell and halfe of the said great pawnd." 

It may be proper to remark that the word " children" included 
but one in each family, and the following is the list so far as 
given by the record : — 
John, son of Wm. Huntington, Thomas, son of Val. Rowell, 

Ebenezer, son of Henry Blasdell, son of Ed. Cottle, 

John, son of John Colby, Richard, son of Geo. Martin, 

Thomas, son of Wm. Sargent, daughter of Nath. Gold, 

Thomas, son of Thos. Barnard, daughter of Wm. Barnes, 

son of Philip Challis, John, son of John Hoyt, 

Samuel, son of John Weed, daughter of Jarret Haddon, 

Joseph, son of Joseph Peasley, son of James George. 

Samuel, son of Anthony Colby. 

John Hoyt entered his "contrary desent" to the above vote 
giving the children land. 

At a meeting held November 1st, Walter Taylor was made 
a commoner, with liberty to use what timber he wanted for 
building vessels so long as he lives in town. He probably 
located where "Uncle John Davis" lived at a later period. 

"Thomas Barnard, George Marting and Samuel Foot these 
three are appointed to lay out the land upon the river and are 
to have two pence an acre for laying it out." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 63 

They subsequently laid out the land as ordered, and the lots 
were drawn as follows : — 

No. 1, Samuel Foot, No. 14, William Sargent, 

No. 2, Walter Tayelier, No. 15, Samuel Colby, 
No. 3, Wm. Howntinton, No. 16, William Osgood, 
No. 4, Edmund Elliot, No. 17, John Hoyt, jun., 
No. 5, John Colby, No. 18, James George, 

No. 6, John Weed, No. 19, Robert Quinby, 

No. 7, Phillipp Challis, No. 20, Richard Currier, 
No. 8, Widow Colby, No. 21, Vallentine Rowell, 

No. 9, George Marting, No. 22, Thomas Barnard, 
No. 10, Nathan Gold, No. 23, Mster Reminton, 

No. 11, John Hoyett, No. 24, William Barnes, 

No. 12, Henry Blasdill, No. 25, Widow Peasly, 
No. 13, Jarrit Haddon, No. 26, Edward Cottle. 
These lots commenced on the west side of the Buttonwood 
road, and extended westerly along the river; but how far it is 
difficult to tell. We find these lots defined at a later period, 
and one of them is described as being sixteen rods wide. The 
numbering commenced at the six rod (Buttonwood) road, and all 
but the first three were bounded southerly on the river. John Weed's 
ten-acre lot extended across the south end of the first three lots, 
[oseph Peaslee, already mentioned as a self-constituted preacher, 
seems to have continued his obnoxious labors, notwithstanding 
the formal warning from the General Court to desist, and was 
this year fined 5 s. per week for his disobedience and again 
ordered not to preach, as his preaching "was very weak and 
unfit." He gave the Salisbury church a good deal of trouble 
by his persistent course. He was undoubtedly honest in his 
intentions, and thought it his duty to preach, but the church 
thought his simple labors were calculated to do more harm than 
good. That he met with encouragement from the new town 
people there is little doubt : and his disobedience must have 
had a damaging effect on the petition for the incorporation of 
the new town last year. The ministry was strictly guarded in 
those days, and all who were not ordained according to the 
regular usage were excluded from the pulpit. 



64 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

There seemed to be a settled determination on the part of 
the new town not to cross the Powow to attend meeting, and 
finally an arrangement was made for Mr. Worcester to preach 
every fourth "Lord's day" in the new town. The people here 
were to make due provision for his accommodation. This plan 
was laid before the General Court in May and was approved. 
One-half of the fines was respited until the next General Court. 

The old town had very nearly driven off these western pioneers, 
and obliged them to settle in the wilderness, a long way from 
church, and still required them to help support the minister. 
Numbering less than a hundred freemen in both towns, eighty 
pounds was quite enough for all to pay. 

The new town people understood that the order for removal 
meant a separate township and they were impatient for its accom- 
plishment. 

The compromise here, however, did not insure peace, for no 
sooner was this settled than the old town was embroiled in a 
local quarrel far more bitter than the last. The majority took 
occasion to reduce the salary of Mr. Worcester by voting him 
thirty pounds instead of forty for his six month's salary. The 
minority were greatly incensed at this, as they deemed it an 
unjust measure, and appealed to the General Court, complaining 
that they had been wronged, that legal notice of the meeting 
had not been given, &c. There was strong opposition to oblig- 
ing Mr. Worcester to go to the new town to preach, and deter- 
mined opposition on the part of the new town to attending 
church at Salisbury. But the General Court finally ordered all 
to attend at Mr. Worcester's meeting till they obtained " an able 
minister " in the new town. 

At the October term of the General Court Joseph Peasley 
was again forbidden to preach, and some little dissatisfaction 
expressed at the fine imposed by the Salisbury court. 

"The Court, having considered of & given ans 1 ' to the peti- 
tion of the inhabitants of Salisbury, calling to minde the affront 
that Joseph Peasley put on this Corts judgement & order in 
the yeare fifty eight, by not only continewing his preaching 
amongst the inhabitants of the new toune of Salisbury, not w th 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 65 

standing this courts injunction to the contrary, but refusing to 
come to ans r for his contempt of the Courts order, & under- 
standing the County Court at Salisbury only fined him five 
shillings for his absence, weekly, as they did others & still that 
he continews preaching there as frequently as before the courts 
order, & that also as we have been informed against the advice 
of the church whereof he is a member, and that his preaching 
( being very week & unfitt for so great a work ) doth rather 
encrease then lessen the contentions there, doe order, that the 
said Joseph Peasley be forthwith by order from this Court for- 
biden to preach any more in any part of this jurisdiction, till 
he give full satisfaction to this Court for what have been past." 

The early history of the church in New England is very 
much mixed with dissentions and divisions, notwithstanding the 
strong hand of the General Court. But the trouble occasioned 
by Joseph Peasley was of short duration, as he died previous to 
1662 in Haverhill. He made his will November nth, 1660, 
and gave his house at Salisbury, new town, to his daughter 
Sarah. It was, probably, on that part of the territory now 
embraced within the bounds of Newton, N. H. His children 
were Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jane and Mary. Phillip Challis 
and Thomas Barnard witnessed his will. The inventory of his 
estate footed up ^366. On the inventory was found two guns, 
one sword, two Bibles, yarn, wool, flax, hemp, forty bushels of 
wheat, sixty bushels of Indian corn, three cows, two heifers and 
two hundred acres of land. His widow, Maria, settled the 
estate. If he was "very weak and unfit" for preaching, he 
was a successful farmer, and left his son a good property. 

Thomas Macy, one of the first settlers in Salisbury and a 
signer of the Articles of Agreement, also numbering among the 
first eighteen commoners, probably left town this year or the 
early part of 1660. He was chosen the first clerk in the new 
town to record the orders of the company, and, probably, made 
his book of record, it being simply a pamphlet of note paper 
size, and without the ancient parchment covers. It is yet in 
the clerk's office, although badly worn and mutilated. He was 
a good penman and, no doubt, had a good education. He was 

9 



66 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

overseer of schools in Salisbury in 1652, deputy to the General 
Court in 1654, and chosen clerk in 1655. His occupation is 
not definitely known, but in ancient deeds he is called "Mer- 
chant " and " Clothier." The record is in his hand-writing 
until the first of November, when a meeting was held to grant 
Walter Taylor a commoner's right in town. The next March 
meeting is recorded by Richard Currier,, who was a poor pen- 
man. 

In some part of this year he was so unfortunate as to harbor 
two or three Quakers for a few minutes in a severe rain storm, 
which act brought the wrath of the General Court down upon 
him, accompanied with a fine of " thirty shillings " and " be 
admonished " by the governor. 

In May, 1657, a very stringent law was passed against harbor- 
ing "any of the cursed sect of Quakers," and attached was a 
fine of 40 s. for every one that should be entertained or con- 
cealed." Macy was quickly complained of and included in the 
following order from the Court : — 

"The Court, understanding that severall inhabitants of this 
jurisdiction have lodged the Quakers now in prison, doe order, 
that the Secretary issue out a warrant to the severall persons & 
send the same by a messenger of purpose to bring them all 
with speede to this Court, to ans r for their offence therein." 

The neighbors of Mr. Macy reported his generous act to a 
brother in need to the pious but horror-stricken members of 
Mr. Worcester's church, and it quickly reached the great Gen- 
eral Court, which was determined to punish with " speede " all 
such terrible sins. 

Thus for years was this harmless, quiet people persecuted, 
hunted from town to town as criminals and offenders against 
God and man, and unworthy of the common courtesies of life. 
In fact, no more heinous sin could be committed than that of 
harboring or in any way administering to the wants and com- 
forts of these peaceful sectarians. They openly violated the 
plain commands of that Gospel which, in their blindness, they 
were trying to uphold : " If thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he 
thirst, give him drink." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 67 

Macy did not appear before the General Court, as summoned, 
either from inability to do so or from the wish to avoid the 
wrath of his enemies, whom he well knew were greatly exasper- 
ated against him. He sent the following conciliatory letter, 
which he, no doubt, thought a sufficient acknowledgement in 
the case : — 

"This is to entreat the honored court not to be offended 
because of my non appearance. It is not from any slighting 
of the authority of this honored court nor from feare to answer 
the case but I have bin for some weeks past very ill, and am 
so at present, and notwithstanding my illness, yet I desireous to 
appear have done my utmost endeavor to hire a horse but can 
not procure one at present. I being at present destitute have 
endeavored to purchase, but at present can not attaine to but 
shall relate the truth of the case as my answer should be 
to y e honored Court, and more cannot be proved nor so much. 

One rainy morning there came to my house Edward Whar- 
ton and three men more ; the said Wharton spoke to me say- 
ing that they were travelling eastward and desired me to direct 
them in the way to Hampton and asked me how far it was to 
Casco Bay. 

I never saw any of y e men afore except Wharton, neither did 
I require their names, or who they were, but by their carriage 1 
thought they might be quakers and told them so and therefore 
desired them to pass on their way, saying to them I might pos- 
sibly give offence in entertaining them and as soon as the vio- 
lence of the rain ceased ( for it rained very hard ) they went 
away and I never saw them since. 

The time that they stayed in the house was about three 
quarters of an hour but I can safely affirme it was not an 
hour. They spake not many words, in the time neither was I 
at leisure to talke with them for I came home wet to y e skin 
immediately afore they came to the house, and I found my 
wife sick in bed. 

If this satisfie not the honored Court I shall subject to their 
sentence. I have not willingly offended. I am ready to serve 
and obey you in the Lord. Tho. Macy."* 

* General Court files. 



68 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Whether or not this letter satisfied the General Court we 
have no means of knowing ; but the fact that Mr. Macy fled 
seems to indicate that he did not consider it safe to remain, and, 
taking his family into his open boat, sailed away to Nantucket, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. 

At the time of this occurrence he lived not far from the mills, 
on a place which he mortgaged to Rodah Gove, of Roxbury, 
August 20th, 1658, already noted in that year. It was bounded 
easterly by Powow river, westerly by the street, and southerly 
by land of Richard Currier. He sold to Anthony Colby his 
homestead near the burying ground in 1654 for £38, to be 
paid as follows : " by a mare fole at ten pounds, ^3 in bourds 
and in courne, £12 or 14 in money, rest in pipe-staves or 
hogshead staves, cattle all at prices current ; Indian corne at 
3 s., wheat & Barley 5 s." Dated the 23d, 2d mo. in 1654. 
This place was bounded westerly by land of Edmund Elliott 
and the burying ground and easterly by the street. These prem- 
ises were near the residence of the late Joseph Bartlett, and 
extended southwest to the vicinity of Mrs. Killam's. 

In 1664 there was some difficulty between Macy and the 
widow of Anthony Colby in regard to the title, and John, son 
of Anthony, testified that Macy did sell the place where his , 
mother then lived in the new town. Thomas Barnard also tes- 
tified "that he heard Macy say that he sold house & barn & 
orchard to Colby & that it was paid for." This testimony was 
given at Salisbury court 12th, 2d mo., 1664. The occasion of 
this law suit is not very clear, but rather looks as if Macy 
denied the title of the Colby's. Macy was the owner of many 
tracts of land in the new town and several in the old and, 
probably, built subsequent to this sale on the lot mortgaged to 
Gove. 

Mr. Whittier has written a beautiful poem entitled, "The 
Kxiles," descriptive of Macy's encounter with the priest and his 
flight, which by permission of the author is quoted entire : — 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 69 

THE EXILES. 
1660. 

The goodman sat beside his door, 

One sultry afternoon, 
With his young wife singing at his side, 

An old and goodly tune. 

A glimmer of heat was in the air, 

The dark green woods were still; 
And the skirts of a heavy thunder cloud 

Hung over the western hill. 

Black, thick and vast arose that cloud 

Above the wilderness; 
As some dark world from upper air, 

Were stooping over this. 

At times the solemn thunder pealed, 

And all was still again, 
Save a low murmur in the air, 

Of coming wind and rain. 

Just as the first big rain-drop fell, 

A weary stranger came 
And stood before the farmer's door, 

With travel soiled and lame. 

Sad seemed he, yet sustaining hope 

Was in his quiet glance; 
And peace, like autumn's moonlight, clothed 

His tranquil countenance. 

A look like that his Master wore 

In Pilate's council hall; 
It told of wrongs, — but of a love 

Meekly forgiving all. 

" Friend ! wilt thou give me shelter here ? " 

The stranger meekly said; 
And, leaning on his oaken staff, 

The goodman's features read. 

My life is hunted, — evil men 

Are following in my track ; 
The traces of the torturer's whip 

Are on my aged back. 

" And much, I fear, 'twill peril thee, 

Within thy doors to take 
A hunted seeker of the Truth, 

Oppressed for conscience's sake. 

Oh ! kindly spoke the goodman's wife, 

" Come in, old man ! " quoth she; 
" We will not leave thee to the storm, 

Whoever thou mayest be." 



•jO HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Then came the aged wanderer in, 

And silent sat him down; 
While all within grew dark as night, 

Beneath the storm-clouds frown. 

But while the sudden lightning's blaze. 

Filled every cottage nook, 
And with the jarring thunder-roll, 
The loosened casements shook, 

A heavy tramp of horse's feet 
Came sounding up the lane, 

And half a score of horse, or more 
Came plunging through the rain. 

"Now, goodman, ope thy door, — 
We would not be house-breakers; 

A rueful deed thou'st done this day, 
In harboring banished Quakers." 

Out looked the cautious goodman then, 
With much of fear and awe; 

For there, with broad wig drenched with rain. 
The parish priest he saw. 

" Open thy door, thou wicked man, 

And let thy pastor in ; 
And give God thanks, if forty stripes 

Repay thy deadly sin." 

"What seek ye?" quoth the goodman, — 

" The stranger is my guest; 
He is worn with toil and grievous wrong, — 

Pray let the old man rest,! " 

" Now out upon thee, canting knave ! " 
And strong hands shook the door; 

" Believe me, Macy ! " quoth the priest, 
" Thou'lt rue thy conduct sore." 

Then kindled Macy's eye of fire : 
" No priest who walks the earth 

Shall pluck away the stranger-guest 
Made welcome to my hearth." 

Down from his cottage wall he caught, 

The match lock, hotly tried 
At Preston-pans and Marston-moor, 

By fiery Ireton's side; 

Where Puritan and Cavalier, 

. With shout and psalm contended; 
And Rupert's oath, and Cromwell's prayer, 
With battle-thunder blended. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 71 

Up rose the ancient stranger thus : 

" My spirit is not free 
To bring the wrath and violence 

Of evil men on thee; 

" And for thyself, I pray forbear, — 

Beethink thee of thy Lord ! 
Who healed again the smitten ear, 

And sheathed his follower's sword. 

" I go, as to the slaughter led; 

Friends of the poor, farewell ! " 
Beneath his hand the oaken door 

Back on its hinges fell. 

" Come forth, old greybeard yea and nay ! " 

The reckless scoffers cried; 
As to a horseman's saddle bow, 

The old man's arms were tied. 

And of his bondage, hard and long 

In Boston's crowded jail, 
Where suffering woman's prayer was heard, 

With sickening childhood's wail, 

It suits not with our tale to tell; 

Those scenes have passed away ; 
Let the dim shadows of the past, 

Brood o'er that evil day. 



72 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1660. 

At a meeting held March ioth, John Hoyt, sen., Anthony Colby 
and Richard Currier were chosen Prudential men, to order all 
affairs given them in writing. 

At this meeting the manner of allowing cattle to go on the 
commons and in the herds which were kept by a " Eardsman," 
was decided upon and the price fixed, etc. 

TOWNSHIPS. 

The only way in which a right to all the privileges and 
immunities of "ffreemen" was acquired — that is, the right to 
vote and take part in the town meetings, was by grant from 
the commoners, who were already in possession of the town- 
ship in fee simple. In this way some twenty were added to 
their number at one meeting.* 

"The tenth day of the 10 month 1660. 

At a generall meting of the inhabitants of the new town, It 
is granted to John Hoyt in a coman right in the new town to 
be a towns man. 

At the same meting it was grantied to Thomas Barnard a 
town ship for one of his sons. 

At the same meting it is granted to Jarrit Hadien a towns 
shiep for one of his doughters. 

At the same mieting it is granted Samuall Foot to be a 
towns man. 

At the sam meting it was grantid to Samuall Colby to be a 
towns man. 

At the sam mieting it was agried on that John Weed shall 
have a townes shiep for on of his sons Samuell Weed ( 9 yrs 

old). 

At the sam mieting it is agried on that William Sargent shall 
have a towns shiep for on of his sons (Thomas 17 yrs old). 

At the sam meting it is grantied to Thomas Rowell a towns 
shiep ( 1 6 yrs old ) . 

At the sam meting it is granted to Henry Blasdell a towns 
ship for his son (Ebeneza 3 yrs old). 

* When old enough to vote. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 73 

At the same meting it is grantied to Georg Marting a towns 
shiep for his sone Richard (13 yrs old ) . 

At the same meting it is grantid to William Howntinton a 
towns shiep for his son ( John 1 7 yrs old ) . 

At the same meting it is grantid to John Colby a towns 
shiep for his son John. 

At the sam meting it is grantid to Phillip Challis a town 
shiep for on of his sons (John 5 yrs old). 

At the same meting it is granted to Jarrit Hadien a towns 
shiep for on of his doughters ( Sarah 2 1 yrs old ) . 

At the same meting it is grantid to William Barnes a towns 
shiep for on of his dougters. 

At the sam meting it is granted to Nathan Gold a town 
shiep. 

At the sam meting it is granted James Georg a towns shiep 
for his son when he hies had him." This was, no doubt, 
designed as a joke on Mr. George by some wag in the meet- 
ing ; but it proved all right, for five years afterwards, viz. : 25th 
i2mo., 1665, his son Samuel was born, and was entitled to the 
"town shiep." 

" At the sam meting it is grantid to Edward Cotiell a town 
shiep for his son. 

At the sam meting it is agried on that William Osgood is 
made a towns man amongst us. 

At the same meting it is agried on that Robert Quinby is 
mead a towns man amengst us. 

At the sam meting it is grantid to Joseph Piesly a towns 
shiep for his son." 

This was really a "town shiep" meeting, no other business 
being done. It must have been a pleasant time, as they granted 
their favors almost entirely among themselves. 

Wolves were growing more troublesome, and the 30 s. bounty 
of 1652 was increased to 50 s., if not killed by Indians. The 
reason of this exception was that the General Court had ordered 
the constables in each town to pay Indians for wolves killed 
three quarts of wine and a bushel of Indian corn per head. 
The temperance principles of the General Court would, at the 

to 



74 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

present day, be subject to severe criticism if pursuing a like 
course. It was, however, deemed right and proper then, as the 
following from the Court records shows : — 

"The Court apprehending y : it is not fit to deprive y e Indi- 
ans of any lawful comfort w ch God aloweth to all men by y e 
use of wine, do ord r y l it shall be lawfull for all such as are or 
shall be alowed licence to retaile wines to sell also to y e Indi- 
ans so much as may be fit for their needfull use or refreshing." 

Philip Challis and Anthony Colby petitioned the General 
Court in behalf of the new town to be made a distinct town, 
stating that they had obtained Mr. Shubael Dumer to be help- 
ful to them in the work of the ministry. The petition bears 
date May 27th, 1660. To this petition was appended the vote 
of the church of Salisbury, as follows : — 

"Whereas certaine articles have binn mutually agred on 
betwixt the old toune, and the one which was to this effect, 
that when the new toune were at charged to mainteine one to 
performe y e worke of the ministry amongst them, they should be 
free from paying to the ministry of the old toune, in refference 
to which article the bretheren that live at the new toune have 
lately signified to the Church that they were in hand with Mr. 
Shubael Dumer for this end, desiring the churche's advice and 
furtherance therein, the church hereupon doe voate, that they 
app r hend Mr. Dumer may be a man suitable for that worke 
amongst them ; they further declare, that if fower bretheren 
seeke to y e honored Gen Court, who only have power to make 
.us distinct tounes, they shall not at all hinder them in theire 
suite ; and further, if the honored Gen Court doe free them 
from us, they shall not only submit thereto, but also further, 
what lies in them, their obteining of Mr. Dumer or any other 
meete man. This is a true copie of the churches vote, w ch was 
cleerely passed in the affirmative. 

p r me William Worcester." 

"The Court judg it meet to concurre w th Mr Worcester & 
y e church in the paper hereto affixed, judging that the person 
in nomination for the helpe of the new toune may be a man 
meete for that worke." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 75 

Notwithstanding these favorable circumstances, nothing came 
of the movement. Mr. Dumer could not be obtained from 
some cause unknown, and the new town people continued to 
contribute to Mr. Worcester's support several years longer. 

Mr. Thomas Bradbury and Capt. Robert Pike deputies. 

1661. 

At a general meeting February 26th, the ten-acre grant to 
John Weed was reaffirmed as being on the side of James creek 
and the Indian ground east of that. 

Philip Challis was granted the Frog pond at the north side 
of Robert Ring's hill. This hill is where the late Joseph Mer- 
rill lived, and received its name in consequence of a large tract 
of land owned on the south end by Robert Ring, the same 
whose name was given to "Ring's Island." This frog pond 
was subsequently owned by the Hunt family, and was sold in 
1749 to Isaac Merrill, Esq., who tunneled the ridge between it 
and the Great swamp, being the second instance of ridge tunnel- 
ing in town. 

Thomas Haynes received a grant of five acres upon the 
"north side of salt brook." This grant was near Whittier's hill, 
on the southerly side/ as later descriptions give it, and "salt 
brook," which is sometimes called "slate brook," may have 
been the one near Samuel Cammett's. 

Mr. Haynes married a daughter of Thomas Barnard, which 
fact, no doubt, secured him a hearty welcome in town. 

The town granted Capt. Robert Pike sixty acres east of 
James' creek on condition "that he come and inhabit with us." 
This land was ever after designated as his "Indian ground," 
and in 1700 was the occasion of his famous letter, which was 
ordered to be kept in the town book forever. It is now one 
hundred and seventy eight years old, in a good state of pre- 
servation, and will be found in its appropriate place. Mr. Pike 
claimed the land, although never complying with the conditions 
on which it was granted. 

The tract of land from Thomas Page's to John Huntington's 
was very properly named Indian ground, as it was evidently 
the seat of an Indian village at some period of time. Many 



j6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

implements used by Indians have been found in this vicinity, 
some of which were deposited with the Natural History 
Society. On the south side of the river, opposite the Indian 
ground, is a small creek long known as Indian river. And 
when we take into consideration the fact that here is the best 
shad grounds of the river, we may safely conclude that it was 
a favorite resort of the red men. 

ANTHONY COLBY. 

He is said to have left England with Winthrop and others, 
coming to Boston in 1630. He is number ninety-three on the 
list of church members, and was made Freeman, May 14, 1634, 
with Jerad Haddon and some eighty others. He is thought to 
have lived at Cambridge in 1632, from whence he moved to 
Salisbury previous to 1640, with his wife Susanna. He was 
not a very young man, probably, when he came to Salisbury, as 
will be seen by the following : — 

His children were Sarah, born ; John, 1st son, born 

; Samuel, ; Orlando ; Isaac, born July 

6th, 1640; Rebecca, born March nth, 1643; Mary, born Sep- 
tember 19th, 1647; Thomas, born March 8th, 1650. 

Sarah married Orlando Bagley March 6th, 1634, and had, in 
1662, of her father's estate, two cows, one steer and a young 
horse. 

John was baptized the same day as Seaborn Cotton, and married 
Frances, daughter of John Hoyt, January 14th, 1656. 

Samuel married Elizabeth, daughter of William Sargent. 

Rebecca married John Williams, September 9th, 1661. 

Mary married William Sargent, jr., September 23d, 1668. 

Isaac lived in Salisbury with his wife, Martha, and was des- 
ignated on early deeds as a planter ; but it is said he moved to 
Rowley, and the records of deeds mentions a person of that 
name in Rowley as owning land in Amesbury. He held office 
several years in Salisbury and, in 1653, was one of a commis- 
sion to run the line between Haverhill and Salisbury. He was 
also one of a commission to lay out the road from Mill bridge 
to the plain that "goeth to Lions Mouth." He was a farmer 
and owned 1-8 of the "old saw mill," and, probably, lived near 



HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 77 

Powow river. He was an active, hard-working man, and the 
worst thing that we find against him is that he was once fined for 
being disorderly in town meeting. He died in the early part 
of February, 1661, and his inventory bears date of March 9th, 
1662, — taken by Samuel Hall, Thomas Bradbury and Thomas 
Barnard. It amounted to ^359, 19 s., 4 d., and among the arti- 
cles enumerated are "old swords, 2 old muskets, new mill saw 
and an old one jQi, o, o, 6 Oxen, an old long cart & wheels, 
2 canoes & 1-2 a canoe, 6 cows, 23 year old steer ^10, o, o, 
8 sheep 7 swine, 1 mare & colt ^20, one horse ^10, Dwelling 
house, barn & 14 acres of land ,£70, 30 acres pasture ^20, 
n lots at y l which is called Mr. Halls, 18 acres fresh Meadow 
,£40, 2 lots sweepage & 1 higgle piggledee lot £4, 60 acres" 
upland towards Pentucket bounds with meadow to be laid out 
^10, y e 8th part of the saw mill ^30, 40 bushels wheat £9, 
10 bu of barley & 3 of rye, 60 bu of Indian corn ,£9." Dying 
before the great division of land was made, he had not received 
so much land as those who died at a later period. His widow 
received grants in nearly all subsequent divisions. 

1662. 

At the March meeting, Richard Currier was chosen to keep 
the book of records and to record all meetings, and to be 
allowed twelve pence for each meeting. He was authorized to 
get a new book and the town to pay the cost. George Can- 
was granted a common right when he or any of his sons came 
to live in town. Also, the right to cut timber on the common 
for building vessels. A large tract of land between the pond, 
Pine hill and Powow river was ordered to be laid out, also the 
land between James' creek and the Haverhill line, and the path 
that goeth to Haverhill, and given to all that had a " common 
right." "Vallintine Rowell and Sammuel Foote " were granted 
twelve acres of land on "Whichers' hill for six years. Goodman 
Mearting, Goodman Hoyt and Goodman Rowell were appointed 
to lay out the land in the Lion's mouth and Great swamp." 
Several other grants were made at this meeting. The record of 
the great lots is here given, it being the greatest division made 
during the early days of the town : — 



78 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"William Osgood, first lott, 200 acres; John Weed, second 
lott, 200 acres; John Hoyt, jr., third lott, 120 acres; John 
Colby, fourth lott, 160 acres; Hen Blasdell, fift lott 160 acres: 
Willi. Huntinton, six lott, 120 acres; Walter Taylor, seven lott, 
108 acres ; James George, eight lott, 040 acres ; Edward Cot- 
tle, ninth lott, 160 acres; Ms Gove, tenth lott, 108 acres; Rich- 
ard Currier, leaventh lott, 200 acres ; Widow Colby, twelth lott, 
108 acres ; Thomas Barnard, thirteen lott, 200 acres ; Willi. 
Sargent, fourteen lott, 200 acres; Sam 11 Foot, fifteen lott, 120 
acres; Edman Elleat, sixteen lott, 120 acres; George Martin, 
seventh lott, 160 acres; Jeret Hadden, eighteerrK)tt, 200 acres: 
Widow Peasly, nineteen lott, 108; Sam" Colby, twenty lott, 108 
acres ; Rob Quenby, twenty one lott, 108 acres ; Nath Gold, 
twenty two lott, 108 acres ; John Hoyt sen., twenty three lott, 200 
acres; Vail Rowell, twenty four lott, 160 acres; Willi. Barnes, 
twenty five lott, 200 acres ; Philip Challis, twenty six lott, 200 
acres." 

Phillip Challis deputy this year. 

May 1 7th. Valentine Rowell, one of the first eighteen, and 
a signer of the Articles of Agreement, died. He was, probably, 
son of Thomas, who received land at the first division of Salis- 
bury in 1639. He seems to have been one of the first who 
crossed the Powow, as previous to 1652 he sold his house 
and land to John Bayly, sen., which fact Bayly mentions in his 
will made in 1651. Bayly gave this house and five acres of 
land to his daughter Johanna, wife of William Huntington, and 
April 2d of this year they sold the same to John Maxfield for 
^5. By the description given in the deed it seems to have 
been at the Ferry near Bayly's hill. 

Rowell received land in all the divisions up to the time of 
his death, and was chosen to lay out the Lion's mouth lots 
with "goodman Mearting & goodman Hoyt." He was made a 
townsman in Salisbury in 1650. 

His children were Hannah, born January, 1643 j Thomas, 
born September 7th, 1644; John, born ^45, died Feb- 
ruary 1 8th, 1655; Phillip, born March 8th, 1647; Mary, born 
January 31st, 1650; Sarah, born November 16th, 165 1 ; John, 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 79 

born November 15th, 1655 ; Elizabeth, born August 10th, 1657 ; 
Margaret, born September 8th, 1659. 

His wife's name was Joanna, and, subsequent to her hus- 
band's death, she married Richard Currier, whom she outlived 
and was a second time a widow. 

Rev. William Worcester died this year. His first wife died in 
1650 and he soon after married Mrs. Rebecca Hall. He was 
a fine scholar and of great piety. Cotton Mather calls him 
"the revered, learned, and holy by whose evangelical ministry 
the church was illuminated." 

The death of Abraham Morrill, one of the most prominent 
men -of the old town, may with propriety be mentioned here, as 
his descendants have largely helped to people the. new town. 
He died previous to October 14th, when his will was proved. 
He was among the first to settle the new territory, and his 
house-lot was near the residence now occupied as a parsonage 
at East Salisbury. His occupation was that of a blacksmith, 
and his work, no doubt, in good demand at that time. 

In 1642 he and Henry Saywood built a corn mill on the 
Powow river, which changed to some extent his business in 
after years, although he never gave up his farm, but, like some of 
his decendants who now occupy the same premises, retained 
his love for cattle, horses and live-stock generally. 

His wife was Sarah Midgett, sister to Thomas Midgett, who 
hired the ship-yard of William Osgood at the landing for many 
years. He. died before his last child was born, and, in all prob- 
ability, was not very aged. Isaac, his elder son, received two 
shares of his estate, and his wife, Thomas Midgett & Isaac were 
executors of his will. The whole estate amounted to ^507. 
At his death his children were Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, Sarah, 
Moses and Lydia — mostly young. The inventory contained "3 
horse kind & mare & fole, 5 oxen, 4 cows, 7 young cattle, 8 
sheep, 11 swine, new house & 56 acres of land, 3 parts of corn 
mill, part of vessel, 4 guns, 3 pots & blacksmith tools." 

1663. 

This year the town bought one acre of land of Edmond 
Elliott for a burying place. It was at the " lower end of the 



80 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

towne part of that which was formerly Thos. Macys niext the 
country road that go from town up to Hefriell." 

This was the eastern part of the cemetery next the late 
Joseph Bartlett's, and here the oldest stones may be found, 
dating far back in the past. Up to this time Golgotha had been 
the only burying ground in town. 

On the 1 6th of March a town meeting was held for the dis- 
position of land, and five hundred and twenty acres were given 
out to the inhabitants. To scatter the grants judiciously would 
be likely to occupy the time of the meeting pretty closely, but 
in this instance the doings were not satisfactory ; and seven who 
received no land entered " their contrary desent to the giving 
out of the land which is disposed on above." 
v^ Ezekiel Wathen* who was probably one of the ancestors of 
the Amesbury and Salisbury Worthens, first appears as towns- 
man this year by a grant of land near his house. In 1644 
Widow Wathen's estate was settled, and Ezekiel, then a boy 
eight and a half years old, was "put out apprentice to Thos. Abie" 
till twenty years old. The next that is known of him is in 1661, 
when he married Hannah, daughter of George Martyn. It seems 
that after completing his apprenticeship he came to Amesbury, 
married, and purchased land at Pleasant valley where his descend- 
ants still live. In 1665 George Martyn gave to "Ezekiel 
Wathen my well beloved son in law & unto Hannah his now 
wife my dearly & well beloved daughter" eight acres of land at 
the " Lyons Mouth." The ancestor of Ezekiel is not fully known, 
but on the County Court records is found the name of George 
Wathen in a case of " Wm. Peturs vs. George Wathen bringing 
into court a contract whereby about an acre of land a garden 
& s d court agreed y l 2 indifferint men shall judge betwixt them 
w l satisfaction Mr. Peters is to give y e s d Wathen & if Mr. 
Peters can prove ag l he may recover of him 5 m. 1640." 
George has been a family name, and it is very probable this 
person was the father of Ezekiel, or, perhaps a brother. 

Deputies : Robert Pike and Jeremiah Houchin. 

This year Salisbury voted to pay back the expenses which the 

*In 1669 there was a Joseph in town — probably a brother. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 8 1 

new town had incurred on account of the ministry — when they 
got a minister. 

1664. 

A general meeting was held January 4th and "Georg Marting 
was chosen with Thos. Barnard Joh. Hoyt and John Weed to 
lay out the griet swamp and also either of them have power to 
lay out the griet swamp and to be payd three shillins a day by 
them that have land." 

The following persons drew lots : — 

"Richard Corier, one, John Hoyett, ten, 

John Weed, tow, Gorieg marting, liven, 

Edward Cotiell, three, William Barnes, twelve, 

Jarrut Haddon, fovere, William hovntinton, fovrtin. 

John Waerd, fiveft, Phillip Chalies, thirtin, 

Henery Blasdall, sixt, Wallintin Rowell, fivetin, 

Widow Colby, sevinth, James Gorieg, sixtin, 

William Sargant, eight, Thomas Macy, siventin, 

Thomas Barnard, nienth." 
Widow Peaslee "Exactitor to Joseph Piesly" received twenty 
acres of land in exchange for six acres of salt marsh formerly 
granted her husband. 

This meeting ordered all the common land to be given out. 
highways only excepted. The children were excluded from any 
share in this division. This arrangement was not satisfactory to 
a portion of the meeting, and William Sargent, Thomas Barnard, 
John Weed, Edward Cottle, William Huntinton and George 
Martin entered their "contree dicent." 

It was a sweeping distribution of land, and thought by the 
dissenters to be an imprudent measure. The land was not needed, 
as all had more than they could improve. 

A general meeting was held Jan. 18th, and twenty-six lots 
next Hampton line were ordered to the inhabitants, by drawing 
lots among the commoners. 

The common land ordered out January 4th was also given to 

the twenty-six commoners who were the principal men in town. 

There was evidently strong opposition to this hasty disposition 

of the town lands, and by an adroit movement in the meeting 

1 1 



82 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

the whole measure was completely changed, as the following 
vote shows : — 

"Att y e same miting it was voted that this tract of land above 
lifting shall not be disposed of this twenty yeare to these men 
above ritting." So the whole matter rested quietly for two 
years. 

April 1 2th. William Barnes sold to Richard Currier six acres 
of land " bounded with y e west with y e hollow highway", which 
would locate the tract in the vicinity of Winthrop Collins'. The 
Sandy Hollow road is therefore a very ancient one, and was 
probably laid out among the first in town. 

John Pressy bought two river lots this year — lot No. 9 of 
George Martyn and No. 10 of Nathan Gold. The Pressy fam- 
ilies were located west of Pressy's creek mostly at first, and 
these lots were between the two creeks in that vicinity. 

Jeremiah Houchin was deputy this year. 

1665. ' 

The most important event this year was building a meeting 
house in the new town, which was very much needed for the 
convenience of the people. 

Jan. 4th. A town meeting was held at which " it was votted 
y 1 there shall be a meeting house bilt in the new towne by y e 
next midsomer insuing y e date here of w ch house is to be bilt 
thirty foot long, five and twenty feet wide and sixteen foot stood 
or there abouts." 

" Att y e same meeting there was chosen Thomas Barnard senr 
and John Hoyt sen and Richard Currier for y e caring on of y c 
above said menchened metting house and also they are impow- 
ered to hire workmen for y e earring on of y e worke for y e build- 
ing of y e above said house and also they are furder impowered 
to see w' y e new town will give in way of contribution for y e 
building of this metting house and w l doth fall shorte of pay 
by contribution then to make a ratt for y e carrying on of y' 
worke." 

"Att y e same metting it was votted y' y e above menchened 
metting house shall stand upon y e land bought of Edman Ell- 
eat for a buring place." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 83 

"Att y e same metting Thomas Barnards and Richard Currier 
was chosen to go two Mr Showell or Mr Woodbridgs son to 
see if they can ataine either of them to be helpful two us in 
y e worke of ye ministry." 

The people were tired of going to Salisbury to meeting and 
were now in earnest about the matter. For years the feeling 
had been in favor of this measure, but they were hardly able 
to support a minister or numerous enough to render such a 
step necessary. When the first attempt was made in 1658 
the prospect was not sufficiently encouraging to induce the Gen- 
eral Court to grant their petition ; but on full consideration they 
were ordered to worship with the old town. The old town 
hardly felt able to support Mr. Worcester without their help, 
and hence their opposition to the measure. In 1660 there 
seemed to be no opposition, and yet they failed to get Mr. 
Dumer, probably for the reason that the prospect was hardly 
bright enough. Having continued with the Salisbury church 
four years longer and increased in numbers and ability, they 
now move with a determination which does them much credit. 
They were fully aware that the General Court would refuse them 
a township until they had obtained a minister, nor were they 
disposed to ask" any such favor. Wherever the Puritans went, 
the meeting and school were sure to be found. 

The location of this meeting house was on the acre bought 
of "Edman Elleat" for a burying place. It was the prevailing 
custom in early days to make such locations. It probably stood 
just back of the Hoyt tomb, near the shop of the late Joseph 
Bartlett, and hither the scattered population resorted on each 
returning Sabbath. In this little hopper-roof church at toll 
of bell, the old, middle aged and young quietly took the 
seats assigned them and listened to the word as expounded to 
them by the eloquent young minister whom they had chosen. 

The committee chosen to go to Mr. Showell and young 
Woodbridge were not successful in obtaining either of them, 
and April 3d, at a meeting then held, Lieut. Challis and John 
Hoyt, sen., were chosen " to treat with Capttin Pyke to see if 
they can obtaine him to be helpful to us in the work of the 



84 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Ministry." Capt. Pike, if a preacher, could not be obtained, 
having plenty of secular business in the old town. It is prob- 
able that meetings were held and occasional preaching had, 
although no minister was found to settle with them. The meet- 
ing house was, no doubt, completed as ordered, and it served 
their purpose for fifty-two years. 

The cows still went on the common under the care of a 
herdsman, who was paid by a rate, each person paying accord- 
ing to the number of cattle put into the herd. James George 
was herdsman this year, and was authorized to prosecute those 
who refused to pay. 

They had a summary process for removing encroachments on 
the highway, as the following vote shows : — 

" At the same metten William Osgood and George Martyn 
sen and John Colby sen weare chosen to few the bounds of 
the to ranges of lots that the hi way do laye between them 
that doo run to Meremack River and in case they doo find 
ani fence standing upon the hi way above retten thay are 
impowered by the new town to pull it up povided they give 
the perte or pertes notis of it six days before they pull it down." 

Deputy, Jeremiah Houchin. 

The minutes of a deed from John Bayly, 2d, to Edward 
Goodwin, who for some time kept the ferry near Mrs. Babb's, 
may be of some interest, as showing the condition of Water 
street at the Ferry two hundred and fifteen years ago : — 

Mr. Bayly sold Mr. Goodwin four acres bounded south-east- 
erly by the river, north-easterly by a little run, south-westerly by 
a highway, and north-westerly by land of Mr. Bayly ; and it was 
to extend back from the river seventeen rods in width. This 
strip which extended from the landing, near the late Capt. John 
Martin's, to the little brook at Miss E. C. TrusselPs, was wide 
enough to include the houses on both sides of the street, and 
has, since that first deed, been a noted place for ship building, 
and especially for being the landing place of Washington when 
crossing the Merrimac on his northern tour. 

1666. 

The first act this year was to fix the minister's salary. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 85 

Feb. 19th. A general meeting was held and the following 
vote passed : — 

"At the same metten it was voted by the mager parte of 
the metten to pay unto the man that is helpfull to us in the 
work of the ministry forty pound a year so long as hee do 
continuee in the work of the ministery among us." 

This was a very important move and calculated to insure 
success. At least it was an important item to go before the 
General Court in connection with their petition. 

On the 14th of May a meeting was held and the following- 
vote passed : — 

" At the same meetten it was agreed to send to the General 
Court for the obtayning of Mr. Bengemen Woodbriedg to be 
helpfull to us in the work of the ministery and also to see if 
wee can obtain to be a township of ourselves." 

This was a very judicious course, for, having fixed the salary, 
they very humbly asked the General Court to assist them in get- 
ting a minister and to allow them a township. All this was in 
perfect accord with the agreement made with the old town 
twelve years before. 

" At the same metten Richard Currier was chosen to go to 
the General Court to maneg the bisnes conserning the petission 
the new town sends to the Generall Court." 

"Lieut. Challes" was chosen to give the old town notice of 
the petition sent to the General Court. 

The first session commenced May 23d. The petition was 
duly presented by Mr. Currier and the grant made early in the 
session, as follows : — 

"In answer to the peticon of the inhabitants of New Salis- 
bury, this Court doeth grant them the liberty of a touneship, 
according to the agreement with the ould toune & that upon 
their providing a minister approved off according as the law 
provides, they then to be taken of from contributing to the 
minister of y e old toune." 

The effort of the new town people was crowned with perfect 
success. They obtained their "township" and their minister, 
and henceforth will take rank religiously and politically among 
the townes of Massachusetts Bay. 



86 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"At a generall metting of the inhabitants of y e towne new 
Salisbury y e 8 d of June" "Goodman Sargent was chosen to 
entertain Mr. Bengaman Woodbrag and the towne to satisfie 
him in provision what hee is ought about it." This completes 
the arrangement so far as church matters are concerned and it 
only remains to organize the town by choice of officers which 
was made at a meeting held June 15th. 

Thomas Barnard was chosen moderator. 

Prudential men : Thomas Barnard, Philip Challis, John Weed, 
Robert Jones, John Hoyt, sen. 

Thus in about one month from the first move on the 14th 
of May, the town was organized and in running order. The 
first juror chosen to attend Hampton court was Robert Jones, 
and the first grand jurors were John Hoyt, sen., and Jarret 
Haddon. 

Grants of land were made to Thomas Haines, John Hoyt, jr., 
John Colby, Robert Jones, Nathan Gould, Thomas Barnard, jr., 
James George, Robert Quinby, Edmund Elliott and John Foot, 
in all amounting to two hundred and five acres. 

Thomas Currier was granted a township and, also, Thomas 
Sargent. 

Robert Jones was granted a township for his son. 

Deputy : Mr. Thomas Bradbury. 

The inventory of Richard Goodale, the famous hunter of the 
colony for several years during the first settlement, was filed this 
year, and he probably died during the year. His property 
amounted to ^80, including the "8th part of a Barke," which 
was appraised at ^20. His farm was appraised at ^60, includ- 
ing the personal property, which consisted in part of five cows, 
three calves and four swine. In his will which was made June 
7th, he gave his son Richard one-half of his property, and to 
his servant, Cornelius Connor, his clothes. The rent of his 
property was to be divided between his son, and daughter Ann, 
wife of William Allen. No account of any outlands is found 
on the inventory, although he received land in the several divi- 
sions with other settlers. One or two of his lots were located 
at Pleasant valley, but sold before his death. George Martin 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 87 

bought one lot of him in 1662, and subsequently sold part or 
all of it to Ezekiel Worthen, his son in law. This lot contained 
the excellent spring long known as " Goodale's spring," and now 
owned by Peter F. Swett. The hill, also, at the foot of which 
this spring bursts forth, was for more than half a century known 
as " Goodale's hill," and was rendered somewhat famous by the 
wanderings of John Pressy over and around it one evening in 
1692. This location remained in the Worthen family for about 
one hundred and seventy-five years from 1670. 

At the incorporation of the new town there appears to have 
been but thirty-six freeman, by which is meant voters and com- 
moners, viz. : — 

Richard Currier, Orlando Bagley, 

George Martyn, Nathan Gould, 

John Hoyt, Samuel Colby, 

Philip Watson Challis, William Osgood, 

Thomas Macy, Robert Quinby, 

William Huntington, Edmund Elliott, 

John Bayly, George Carr, 

Henry Blasdell, Walter Taylor, 

John Colby, Thomas Currier, 

William Barnes, Robert Jones, 

Valentine Rowell, Thomas Sargent, 

Thomas Barnet, Thomas Rowell, 

Thomas Barnet, jr., Joseph Peaslee, 

Anthony Colby, James George, 

John Weed, Joseph Peaslee, jr., 

Jarrett Haddon, Ezekiel Worthen, 

William Sargent, Samuel Foot, 

Edward Cottle, John Hoyt, jr. 

1667. 

At the annual meeting the division of the land set apart for 
the children in 1659 was further considered and ordered o be 
divided "to every child according to his father's estate given 
in to the makin of Mr. Woodbridges first reat at the new town." 
"John Hoyt sen do enter his contri desent to this vot." 

Robert Jones and James George were granted "their sonns 
proportion of land equevelent to the other children by way of 



88 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

reat and the land to ly next the children's land." " John Hoyt 
sen do enter his contrere desent to this vot." 

Their lots were to begin next to Cobler's brook, the land 
lying between West Amesbury and Haverhill line. 

At this meeting (January 25th) it was voted "that the town 
shall make a bregh over the swamp at Gorg Martins house." 
The remains of this bridge or rather the causeway and road 
each side are still visible in Mr. David Currier's pasture near 
Moody Merrill's. It was a small bridge, perhaps six feet wide 
in the center of a causeway built over a meadow some six or 
eight rods broad. The bank on the south side was dug and 
carted into the meadow to raise the grade above the bogs. 
About one hundred years ago a second bridge was built far- 
ther to the north across this same meadow, and the road 
changed to where we now find it by Aquila Martin, who then 
owned the -land in that vicinity. The town allowed a short 
piece of the old road to be discontinued in exchange for the 
new. 

Edward Goodwin was granted a common right. 

Richard Hubbard was granted a "common right when he 
comes up to live among us and inhabitt with us." 

William Hackett was granted a common right. 

"William Osgood do enter his contrary desent to these two 
last acte." 

There was trouble with Haverhill about the bounds and Wil- 
liam Osgood and Samuel foot were chosen to join with the 
Prudential men to demand satisfaction for " there ungoust 
molestation about our bounds to demand our charges of them 
and in case of refusal to prosecute at law for the obtaining of 
it." 

Whether the committee ever obtained redress to their satis- 
faction we are not able to state ; but the line was settled May 
15th by the General Court, as it now stands. 

The town ordered the Prudential men to commence a " suet 
against the cow keeper for breach of covenant." 

John Nash and Thomas Nichols were made townsmen. 

" It was voted and agreed upon that the menesters mainte- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 89 

nance shall be gathered by way of contrybnsion so long till the 
towne shall see case to allter it." 

Lieut. Challis and Richard Currier were chosen to gather the 
contribution and pass it to the minister. 

Thomas Sargent was made a townsman on the right his 
father, William Sargent, had for one of his sons. 

Nathan Gould was granted six acres of land " upon the north 
sid of the hill caled Thorn Whiters hill." 

"At the seam metten Liften Challes John Hoyt sen and 
George martyn weare apointed to lay out two hundred akers 
of land for the yous of the Ministry wherever thay shall find it 
most convenient." 

A portion of this land was laid out near the late Joseph 
Merrill's and is now known as the " parsonage." It is bounded 
by roads on all sides : northerly by the Pond hill road, west- 
erly by the Hunt road, southerly by the old road over Clough's 
hill, and easterly by the Martin road, embracing about one 
hundred acres. 

July 9th. A general meeting was held for the purpose of 
seating the people in the new church, and " Liften Phillip Chal- 
les, Richard Currier, William Osgood, Rober Jones William 
Barnes, John Weed, Thomas Barnard sen Nathan Gold, Georg 
Martyn thes men above retten" to apoint every man and woman 
in the towen there pertecular seate to set in in the metten 
house acording to there best judgment, excpt thes men wich 
the town themselves have plased." 

Accordingly they proceeded to exercise their "best judgment," 
as follows : — 

"Richard Currier is to set at the tabell. 

Thomas Barnard sen is to set in the seat behind the tabell. 

Roberd Jons and John Weed are to set in the nor West 
corner of the metten house. 

The 2 seate in the nor "West side Georg Martyn and Nathan 
Gould are to set in. 

Good wiffe barens is to set in the front seate at the tabell. 

Good wiffe Osgood and Good wiffe Challes and Good wiffe 
Weed are to set in the first seate in the sowethest sid of the 
metten house. 12 



90 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Good wiffe Currier and Good wiffe Barnard is to set in the 
second seate in the sowett west side of the metten house. 

Good wiffe Jons is to set in the second seate in the soweth 
est side of the metten house. 

Good wiffe Gould is to set in the 3 seate in the soweth 
side of the metten house. 

Good wiffe Martyn is to set in the 3 seate in the soweth 
west side of the metten house. 

Georg Martyn do enter his contry desent to the plasen of 
his wiffe in that seat. 

William Sargent sen is to set at the tabell. 

Edward Goodwin is to set at the tabell. 

J arret Hadden and Sargent Hoyt is to set in the seate at 
the back of the tabell. 

Edward Cottell and Edmund Elleatt and Hen Blasdell is to 
set in the 2 seat on the nor west side of the metten house. 

Samuel Foot, John Hoyt jr Thomas Barnard jr Thomas Sar- 
gent, William Hoyt Isa Colby Thomas Rowell is to set in the 
first seat in the nor est side in the metten house. 

William Huntinton Thomas Fowler, Thomas Nichols Rob 
Quinby is to set in the 3 seat in the nor west side in the 
metten house. 

John Pressy, Jemes Fres, Ezekiell Worthen, John Huntinton 
is to set in the 2 seate in the nor west side in the metten 
house. 

Jemes Gorg Joh Barber is to set in the 3 seate in the nor 
est side of the metten house." 

The record is very much worn and it is probable that a few 
more may have been seated. William Barnes was moderator of 
the meeting and, of course, had a prominent seat assigned him. 
Forty or more were seated and these constituted the principal 
inhabitants at this time, excepting children. The seating seems 
to have been satisfactory, with a single exception. Those seated 
at the table may have been deacons, but we do not find the 
term used. They were, no doubt, seated somewhat according 
to their standing in town. The seats were rudely constructed 
settees or benches, and the whole outfit of the house was very 
simple and plain. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



9 1 



At a town meeting held in the early part of the year ( date 
wanting ) a large amount of business was transacted and, among 
other things, the new town was named. 

"At the seam metten the Towen have named this Towen 
Amesbery." 

There is little doubt that a large number of the original set- 
tlers of Salisbury and Amesbury came from towns of the same 
names in England. In fact, the two towns are as closely con- 
nected there as here, and are said to be very pleasantly located. 
Salisbury is specially noted for its elegant cathedral of ancient 
build, and Amesbury for its Druid temple or anointed stone, 
erected by the Druids at a very early period. 

By the kindness of Mr. J. G. Whittier, we are enabled to 
give a brief sketch of the ancient town of Amesbury in Eng- 
land, and the origin of the name. The following is Mr. Whit- 
tier's letter : — 

"Amesbury derives its name from Amesbury or Ambresbeery 
in Wilts, England, on Salisbury plain, and near the great Dru- 
idical temple of Stonehenge. The ancient Cymric name of 
these stone circles was Emrys Avee, Ambres or Ambrosius, sig- 
nigfying immortal or anointed stones. 

The practice of anointing sacred stones is as old as history 
or tradition. The Druidical stones in Cornwall were called 
Dina's Emrys or the ' Anointed City.' In Genesis, chapter 28, 
we are told that Jacob set up a stone in Bethel and poured 
oil upon it. It is probable that Amber ( French Ambre ) means 
Ambrosial or sacred, as it was used by the Druids. Gridley, 
in his work on Stonehenge, says : ' It seems tolerably clear 
that the ancient name of Stonehenge is preserved by the neigh- 
boring town of Amesbury or Ambresbeery, as it was formerly 
called.' 

The old English town is venerable in appearance — the little 
church, one of the oldest in that region. Here are situated 
the abbey of Amesbeery, one of the first religious houses in 
Great Britain. Tennyson, in his Idyls of the King, makes the 
faithless queen of King Arthur, after her disgrace in connection 
with Sir Lancelot, fly for refuge to 'the holy House of Ames- 
bury.' 



Q2 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

Well may the people of the town cling fondly to the name 
which has come down to them from the pre-historic time of 
the Druids, Arthur and the Round Table, and which the great 
poet of the century has embalmed in his immortal verse." 

1668. 

The Prudential men were authorized to order all affairs, 
excepting the disposing of land and timber and commencing 
suits at law. 

Phillip Challis, William Osgood and Richard Currier were 
chosen commissioners to end small cases. 

" At the same metting it is agreed that the minister shall 
have all that is giveing in by contrybushon besides his dieght." 

Although the town had been incorporated two years, yet no 
name had been passed upon until the April session of the 
General Court, when the name voted in 1667 was confirmed 
and "Emesbury" made the legal name. 

The town petitioned the General Court for leave to keep a 
ferry over the river, " about Mr. Goodins house," * and had 
leave to do so ; but the appointing of the ferry-man and price 
was left to the county court, which decided as follows : — 

"The County Court held at Hampton y e 13th of y e 8th mo 1668 
Mr. Edward Goodwin being presented by y e Selectmen of y e 
town of Amesbury to y e Court to keep y e ferry over Merri- 
mack river above y e mouth of y e Powous river where y e s d 
Goodwin now dwelleth this Court do allow & approve of y e s d 
person for one year next following and until y e Court shall take 
further orders there in and for y e prices to be as followeth so 
for every single passenger, two pence, for a horse and man six 
pence and for all great cattle four pence per head & for sheep 
and other small cattle under two years old two pence p r head." 

On the 1 8th of February a meeting was held which may 
with propriety be designated as the great la?id meeting. One 
hundred lots were disposed of in four divisions of twenty-five 
lots each. The first division was on Whittier's hill, the second 
was in the vicinity of the pond ridge, the third was between 
the pond and " Borcheng medow," and the fourth was to begin 

*At Mrs. Babb's. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 93 

the west side of the pond brook. These divisions embraced a 
very large portion of the town's commons, and the measure was 
very important. The lot layers were to receive "three hapence" 
per acre for their services. 

Mr. Carr's grant of four hundred acres, made by the old 
town, was confirmed. 

Cattle were to be taxed one shilling, six pence for going on 
the common. 

A private way was laid out from Mill river to the country 
highway for the accommodation of the new saw mill, and the 
owners were to purchase the land and keep the way in repair. 
This way was discontinued in 1694. 

John Pressy was made constable this year. 

1609. 

James Frees, William Sargent, jr., Josue Goldsmith, Thomas 
Stevens and Jossef Lankester granted common rights. 

Jan. 28th. " It was granted unto that minister that do come 
and live and inhabit with us, ffifty akers of land lying in that 
part of the common between fox island and Georg Martyns 
house." 

"At y e seam metten William Osgood sen and William Barens 
and Samuel ffoot was chosen and impowered to purches in the 
behalf of the town any howssen or lands ffor the yous of the 
ministrey and to despoes of any common land for the purchis- 
ing of the said howsin or land or to pay by reat provided it 
do not exseed one hundred and ffifty pound." 

It seems that Mr. Woodbridge made a short stay — but little 
more than two years — and the town was again without a min- 
ister. No complaint appears as to his services, and it is prob- 
able that he left for a more liberal call. It was now thought 
best to purchase a house for the better accommodation of the 
minister, which was a move in the right direction. 

The custom of "boarding round" was anything but agree- 
able, and not desirable to the people. In fact, with all the 
inducements offered, it was no easy task to find a minister will- 
ing to come into this wilderness, as the territory north of the 
Merrimac was then called. 



94 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Feb. 5 th. A meeting was held for the purpose of taking 
measures to obtain a minister. 

"At the seam metten it was agreed to seek out to obtain a 
minister of the gospel to live amounst us." 

"At the seam metten it was agreed to send to Mr. Hobberd 
of Kettre to see if we can obtayn him to be helpful to us in 
the work of the ministry." 

"At the seam metten Rober Jones and Richard Currier was 
chosen to goo to see if they can obtayn Mr hubberd to be 
helpfull to us in the work of the Ministry." 

This Committee do not seem to to have been successful in 
obtaining Mr. Hubberd, as on the 19th of March Robert Jones 
and John Weed were chosen to see if they could find a Min- 
ister. This committee met with no better success, and May 
7th Robert Jones was again chosen to hunt up a minister and 
to invite him to make a visit. Mr. Hubberd was finally induced 
to come the latter part of the year, and December 3d the town 
voted him the fifty acres of land granted to the minister on 
condition that he live in town four years ; but if he leave before 
that time, having made improvements upon it, then to be paid 
for the improvements. 

The town agreed to pay John Hoyt " for Mr hobords diet." 

The committee chosen January 28th had not, August 27th, 
purchased a house, and, at a meeting on that day, John Hoyt 
was put upon the committee in place of Samuel Foot. 

John Gimson and Joseph Worthen were made townsmen. 

The order forbidding persons carrying logs to the old mill 
was this year repealed. 

The town, at a meeting held June 7th, ordered a highway 
between the river lots and minister's land, commencing near 
Martin's bridge and extending westward, the north side of 
Clough's* hill, to the road that leads to the Indian ground, now 
known as Buttonwood road. 

George Carr, jr., was at this time building vessels at the 
Ferry, and took William Severance apprentice for four years. 

George Carr was not well pleased with the appointment of 
* Formerly Goodale's. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 95 

Mr. Goodwin to keep a ferry near the mouth of the "Powows 
river," and petitioned the General Court this year for a hearing, 
which was granted, and, it appearing that he was efficient and 
had kept his bridge in good repair, tending faithfully to his 
duties, it was decided that "he ought to have his covenant 
made good according to Salisbury Court order 9th 3 mo 1650." 
So Mr. Carr was given full control of the ferries. 

1670. 

At a meeting held April 18th, the town voted that they would 
have but three prudential men, virtually dismissing those chosen 
March 10th, and proceeded to choose Thomas Barnard, sen., 
Richard Currier and George Carr, jr. 

William Carr was made a townsman at this meeting. 

This year the road from the landing at the Ferry was laid 
out, as the following will show : — 

" We whose names are under written being chosen to lay out 
y e highway to y e Ferry place in Amesbury, do hereby these 
presents manifest that we have layed it out in manner as fol- 
loweth : At y e water side next Merrimack River over against 
Newbury Landing place from Mr Goodings bound tree to a 
white oak stump about nine or ten rods and so runeing up y e 
hill on y e lower side to a walnut tree marked with A over 
against a small white oak marked with an A about four rods 
wide ranging up y e hill between two small black oaks marked 
about four rods apart and so upward to a great rock on y e 
lower side in Bailey's hill two rods wide & so to y e town ward 
two rod wide through y e land of y e s d Bayley being one hun- 
dred and ten rods & one half in length so through y e land of 
John Weeds between two great rocks about fifty three rods & 
half in length two rod wide and so to y e land of Goodman 
Haddens next ye street as witness our hands the 17th 1670. 

Willi Chandler, 
Nathaniel Clark." 

The marks of this old road over Bailey's hill are still visible, 
and there are partial remains of two cellars yet to be seen. 

The termination of this road was in Jarret Haddon's land at 
the Country road (now Haverhill road) recently owned by the 



96 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

late Joseph Bartlett. The southern corner bound of Gun House 
lane was one of the bounds of this road. 

"The land taken out of Mr Goodings land fer y e conven- 
iency of y e highway we find to be 27 rods & a half prized at o 
14 o, taken out of Goodman Bayleys one acre & 61 rods 
prized at 3 o o taken out of John Weeds land one hundred & 
seven rods, prized at 1 o o as witness our hands. 

Willi Chandler 
Nathaniel Clar-k." 

This road was again bounded out in 1756 by William Moul- 
ton and Stephen Bartlett, selectmen. 

By way of compensation for this road, which seems not to 
have been paid for according to the Court order, the town a 
few years later defined the bounds of Mr. Bayley's lot in such 
a manner as to satisfy him for the damage done, and, in course 
of the description, a bound tree is mentioned near the house 
of "Abraham Morrill," which fact accounts for one of the cel- 
lars on the hill. . Mr. Morrill's house was, no doubt, built soon 
after the road was laid out. 

1671. 

In the early part of this year the town voted to give Mr. 
Hubbard "his fire wood in addition to his ,£40" per year. 

The labors of Mr. Hubbard in the ministry were giving good 
satisfaction, and the people were ready to increase his pay 
accordingly. 

Jarret Haddon sold to Richard Bartlett, of Newbury, his 
"great lot of 200 acres as laid out to me 18 lot." The fact 
that his lot contained two hundred acres shows him to have 
been one of the most wealthy townsmen, as only such received 
those large lots. 

In 1 66 1 Richard Currier gave his son-in-law, Samuel Foot, 
and wife Hannah (daughter of Richard) the place he bought 
of George Martin, and this year he bought it back again by 
way of exchange, giving him thirty acres at Cobler's brook. It 
was described as "Westerly on the street, southerly by John 
Hoyt jr., his land N. Easterly & Powow River, with a privilege 
to the landing place to set hay on." This seems to fix his res- 
idence in the vicinity of William D. Bartlett's. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 97 

1672. 

At the annual meeting March 22c!, Thomas Barnard, sen., 
John Colby and John Weed were chosen to " hier men for the 
finishen of the howsen where Mr hoberd now dwell." 

"Att the same metten it was aded to Mr hobert five pound 
a yeare to his former maintenance." 

"Att the same metten it was granted to Mr hoberd gras to 
make four load of hay for this year." 

Mr. Hubberd was evidently giving good satisfaction, yea, even 
more than that, he was very popular and well beloved by his 
little church in the wilderness, and all gladly went in for mak- 
ing him comfortable and happy. His house was to be finished 
and made comfortable, he was to have a larger salary and fire 
wood and hay. What better evidence could he want of the 
fact that his services were duly appreciated. Every omen now 
pointed to a long term of useful service with his people here. 

But the "fashion of this world changeth," and our highest 
hopes are sometimes suddenly dashed to the earth and we are 
dumb with amazement. So in this case : in less than a month 
the public mind, fickle as the wind, had changed and Mr. Hub- 
berd had not, apparently, a friend in town. 

There was not found one man to enter his "contra dicent" 
to this cutting vote : — 

April 17th. Voted "not to ad any more to Mr. Hoberds 
maintainance nether in land nor anything else." 

This was equivalent to a dismission and, probably, Mr. Hub- 
berd so understood it. Whether Mr. Hubberd asked for more 
salary we do not know, but we know that a young man of 
great ability and promise had recently graduated from Harvard, 
had studied for the ministry, and was occasionally preaching 
at Newbury and the Shoals. No doubt the people had seen 
and heard him. This young minister was no other than Rev. 
Thomas Wells. He had captivated the hearts of the people, 
and in less than two months a committee was chosen "to see 
if they can obtain Mr Wells to be help full to us in the work 
of the Ministry." 

The task was an easy one and quickly accomplished. Mr. 

I 3 



gS HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Wells was ready to come and accepted the invitation at once, 
so that in twenty days the town voted him his fire-wood in 
addition to his ^40. They also gave him the whole improve- 
ment of all the land reserved for the use of the ministry, "and 
in case he die and leave his Widdo or children with us to 
alow her or them fifty pound." 

There was some opposition to this hasty measure, as the vote 
reads "mayger part" of the meeting. No doubt Mr. Hubberd 
had some friends who began to think this hasty work. Never- 
theless the friends of Mr. Wells were determined to do some- 
thing nice for him, and in November voted to build him a 
house, as follows T "Votted that there shall be a house bilt 
upon the towns land next Goodman Sargents for the youse of 
the ministry." 

"At the same metting they have voted that the house above 
menchened shall be bilt fower and forty foot long or there 
abouts and twenty foot wide and thirteen foot and a half stood." 

"Goodman Osgood, Goodman Challis, Goodman Weed and 
Goodman Rowell " were to build the house. But, as in other 
cases, the matter was delayed through the year and no house 
was built. The town had already one house, bought of John 
Hoyt, and, on further consideration, did not care to build a 
second for the minister. Besides, Mr. Wells may not have been 
married at this time. 

At the annual meeting the town made an exchange with Rob- 
ert Jones of land, giving him ten acres at Whittier's hill and 
taking ten acres south of William Sargent's, called the Fane or 
Vane lot, having been once granted by Salisbury to one Henry 
Vane. We shall find this lot becoming a historic, spot in the 
future. Robert Jones was the ancestor of the families of that name 
in town for many generations, but now represented only by Philip 
Tones, the well-known farmer of " Lion's Mouth." 

1673. 

The Prudential men to have power to act in all matters 
except giving out land. 

At a meeting held January 6th, the town repealed the vote 
in regard to building a house for the minister and granted Mr. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 99 

Wells a piece of land adjoining William Sargent's and also a 
piece at Back river, and gave him the house bought of John 
Hoyt for the minister's use, and £io. And to crown their gen- 
erosity, offered to haul the house to the spot where he should 
build, provided he should release the town from building cer- 
tain roads. Mr. Wells did not accept the house, but built to 
suit himself. He bought fifty-five rods of William Sargent on 
the north and the deed bears date July 1, 1673. The lilacs 
still mark the spot where his house stood, and bloom as beau- 
tifully and are as fragrant as they were more than two hundred 
years ago. This was the Vane lot spoken of last year, of which 
the old academy once occupied a part. 

The annual meeting was now fixed on the last Tuesday in 
March'. 

• 1674. 

The town having some misunderstanding with Phillip Watson 
Challis, commenced a suit against him, but was beaten and, as 
he says, "upon tryal of case nothing did appear." It was 
claimed that he agreed to give up to the town a fifty-acre lot 
for the use of the ministry in consideration of other grants, which 
fact did not appear on the trial, but "y e land was granted to 
me without any reservation of any such engagement whatever 
was intended" the deed acknowledged this year states. He 
seems to have been willing to give the land for the use of the minis- 
try, but was not to be driven to it. The tract is now known as 
the "parsonage" near the late Aquilla Martin's, and the follow- 
ing is taken from the deed : — 

"Know y e that I y e s d Philip Challis w th y e consent of Mary 
my wife, for divers good & lawful considerations us thereunto 
moving but more especially of o r great desire & affecon towards 
a Godly ministry to be settled & upheld in y e s d town of Ames- 
bury have given * &c *. * * without pay or satisfaction to the 
public use of the ministry in y e aforesaid town " * * * " Pro- 
vided & it is always my declared intention y l it shall not be y c 
power of y e s d town as feoffees in trust nor in y e power of y e 
Minister at any time in being y l shall have y e same in posses- 
sion use or occupation to aleniate or dispose of y e same or any 



IOO HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

part thereof to y r selves or any of them or either of them nor 
to any minister or ministers or any other p r son or p r sons w l 
soever but only for y e publique ouse of the ministry as afore- 
said & if any shall so doe it is hereby declared voyd & null. 

Signed March 25th, 1673. 
Ack March 12, 1674 Philip W. Challis 

Before Rob* Pike. Mary X Challis:'' 

Notwithstanding the strong language of the deed to prevent 
its being sold, a sale was made in 1746 and the writer now 
owns most of the tract. 

At the March meeting "Mr Thomas Wales is resaived a 
towns man and commonor amongst us." 

Dec. 14th. A meeting was held and various matters acted 
upon, but not in accordance with the wishes of the majority, 
it would seem. 

The first act was to choose Thomas Currier town clerk, and 
it was really a wise move. He was the oldest son of Richard 
Currier, and for several years past the record or portions of it 
are in his hand writing. Richard was growing old and his pen- 
manship and wording rather poor. In fact, he never was a 
good penman, although a smart business man. Under his son's 
clerkship the record is greatly improved. He was allowed " one 
shilling p r day for every towne meeting for his paynes." 

A committee was chosen to thoroughly revise the book of 
records, as will be seen by the following vote ; — 

"Voted y l the errors in the Towne book off records shall be 
corrected And Leift Challes, Richard Currier, William Barnes, 
Thomas Wells, George Martyn, John Weed sen, Samuel Foot, 
Thomas Sargent & Thomas Barnard sen. were chosen for a 
committee y l they should prosecute y e s d vote to effect by 
reviseing & drawing over the towne booke off Records anew 
and y l every error therein should be corrected & amended 
by y e joynt act or consent off them or y e major part off 
them and y* any such act by them concluded shall be accounted 
firme & valid in order to y e s d end, w ch comitee have likewise 
power granted them iff they shall see cause to chuse two 
or more p r sons off another towne not concerned or inter- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IOI 

ested in y e towne off Amesbury to assist them in y e s d 
worke." This work was to be done before the next annual 
.town meeting. 

This committee consisted of nine, two of whom made their 
marks on the Articles of Agreement signed in 1654. What 
part the two who could not write were to take in revising 
is not quite clear. This new move was in keeping with the 
new ministry, and possibly may have been suggested by Mr. 
Wells or his special friends. How such a thorough revision 
was to be made, and in what respect, is difficult to imagine. 
No doubt the substance of all votes was truly recorded, and if 
not, any alteration could hardly be made twenty years afterwards. 
If the grammatical construction of the language was bad, any 
alteration would be difficult without liability to alter the sense. 
Mr. Wells could have given it a smoothing touch, but the 
majority of the town were of opinion that it had better be let 
alone, and accordingly a meeting was called January 25th, 1675, 
the doings of which will be found under the head of that year. 

1675. 

John Hoyt, sen., was chosen constable, but, not wishing to 
serve, hired his son John, jr., to serve in his stead, and the 
town accepted the substitute. 

Jan. 25th. A meeting was held at which the December 
meeting of 1674 was declared illegal. The meeting, however, 
chose Thomas Currier clerk and confirmed some of the votes 
then passed. 

Left. Challes, John Hoyt, sen., and George Martyn were 
chosen to show Mr. Wells the bounds of the land given for the 
use of the ministry by Left. Challes. 

Mr. Wells' rate was ordered to be made annually at Mich- 
aelmas. 

The business of the town at this time was farming, fishing, 
making staves and building a few small vessels. These occu- 
pations required a few tradesmen, such as blacksmiths, carpen- 
ters, weavers and tailors, who, very likely, did a good business, 
taking barter pay for their services. Fishing in the river and 
harbor was from the first of great importance to the little col- 



102 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ony, and finally became an extensive business. But the chief 
reliance was on cattle, sheep, corn and the small grains which 
were extensively raised, according to ancient inventories. Pota- 
toes were unknown at this time. 

At the annual meeting it was voted to pay the Prudential 
men "reasonable satisfaction for their time," and this is the 
first instance which appears on the record of their receiving 
pay. 

Thomas Haynes received a grant of the island in Country 
pond, which was at this time within the limits of Amesbury. 

The Prudential men were authorized to place all persons in 
the meeting house as they thought best. 

William Sargent, one of the eighteen, died this year, aged 
seventy-three years. He was born in England and was the son 
of Richard Sargent, an officer in the Royal navy. It is believed 
that he came to Virginia at an early date with William Barnes, 
[ohn Hoyt and others. He married Judith Perkins, who died 
about 1633, when he and his daughters Lydia, Sarah and Mary 
came to Ipswich, where he settled with John Winthrop, Wil- 
liam Clark, Robert Coles, Thomas Howlett and others. When 
leave was given for a plantation at Newbury, he came with 
others and helped form the settlement there. A few years later 
he went to Hampton with those composing that settlement, and 
when the plantation at "Merrimack " was begun, he was found 
there located beside Mr. Bradbury on the south-west bend of 
the circular road. 

March 25th, 1747, he bought Anthony Colby's house and lot 
lying next Jarrett Haddon's, butting upon the Circular and Ferry 
roads, and just one year later sold the same. He was then 
called a mariner. Whether or not he came across the Powow 
at this time is not certain, but it is probable that he did not 
remain in Salisbury long. 

He lived near the residence of Hon. George W. Morrill, as 
various facts pretty. clearly show. In 1673 he sold Rev. Thomas 
Wells fifty-five rods of land, and the description in the deed 
mentions his house near by. He never lived at " Jamaco," but 
died where he first built near the Academy lot. Living near 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IO3 

the meeting, it was a convenient place for the minister to stop, 
and in 1666 the town voted to "satisfie him for entertaining- 
Mr Woodbridge," who was a candidate for settlement in the 
ministry. 

He was Prudential man in 1667, but never was chosen to 
much office, owing partly or wholly to his age at the settle- 
ment of Amesbury. His will was proved April 13th, and his 
son Thomas and daughter Sarah were appointed executors, but 
the daughter declined serving. 

1676. 

The town was divided into wards for convenience of setting 
watches, and each ward had a watch house for quarters. 

The annual meeting "Voted that every ward shall produce a 
load of fire wood for y e watch and ward while they have gone 
all round and y r ward to be fined five shillings that neglect it." 
Indians were at times troublesome and the garrison houses, then 
called forts, were in the various sections of the town, to be 
kept at all times in good order. 

One of these forts was located on the plain near the D. 
Gordon Estes place, one at the Pond hills, one on the plain at 
"Jamaco," near the burying ground, one at Birch meadow and, 
probably, one at the Highlands. People were afraid to go into 
their fields to work without their guns, and portions of the time 
resorted to the garrison at night for protection. 

The General Court was obliged to take every precaution to 
check the plundering, burning and murdering of the people by 
these nightly skulking enemies. Even friendly Indians were 
hardly to be trusted, and all felt constant alarm. 

In addition to other troubles a dispute had arisen in regard 
to the line between this colony and New Hampshire. False 
representations had been made to the King and it became 
necessary to send a commission and address to pacify his Royal 
Majesty. 

So that with the watches which the constables were obliged 
to keep nights from May to the end of September, in which all 
over sixteen years of age were obliged to take their turns or 
hire a substitute, there seemed but little chance for a happy 



104 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

or easy life. No persons were allowed out after ten o'clock at 
night without being arrested and taken to the watch house, 
unless a good account could be given. Lights were to be put 
out at ten and all noises stilled in the streets. How strictly 
these regulations were enforced we cannot say, but judging from 
the character of the Puritans, must lean to the side of strict 
discipline. All of these measures were, no doubt, required to 
guard against surprise and the complete destruction of the col- 
ony, as the history of 1677 will very clearly show. 

1677. 

For several years past the Indians have been growing uneasy, 
evidently intending mischief on the first good opportunity. In 
fact, numerous raids had been made along the settlements and 
murders committed in various places. The people lived in con- 
stant fear and were obliged to keep constantly on their guard ; 
but, notwithstanding their vigilance, the savages fell upon the 
town and murdered several persons before relief was at hand. 

Secretary Rawson, in his letter to Governor Andros, of New 
York, says : " As for damage done us by the eastern Indians, 
mentioned in our letter dated July 28th, was in taking our 
fishing catches about Cape Sable, and a notorious murder com- 
mitted upon some men women and children at Amesbury about 
the middle of July, but not known to us or y e Commissioners at 
Pemaquid until after the peace was concluded between some of 
the eastern Indians & Capt. Brockles." The above would seem 
to convey the impression that the murders here were by east- 
ern Indians, but it is a well known fact that there were Indi- 
ans roaming up and down the borders of the Merrimac river 
quite as treacherous as those farther east. There was one 
Symon, of considerable influence, who had lived with the Eng- 
lish settlers and was professedly very friendly to them. But in 
his breast rankled all the hate and revenge which generally 
characterized the race, and there is little doubt that he was the 
instigator of many of the raids in this vicinity. 

Drake, in his Indian Biography, says of him: "Symon, a 
troublesome fellow, who continued to create considerable alarm 
to the inhabitants upon the Merrimack river, in the vicinity of 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IO5 

Newbury and Amesbury, about which part seems to have been 
his residence as late as the month of July, 1677. On the 9th 
of July six Indians were seen to go into the bushes not far 
from the garrison of Amesbury. Two days before, several men 
had been killed in the neighborhood and one woman wounded, 
whose name was Quimby. Symon was the alleged leader of the 
party which committed the depredation. Mrs. Quinby was sure 
that it was he who 'knocked her on the head,' and she knew 
many of the names of the rest with him, and named Andrew. 
Geoffrey and Joseph. She begged of Symon not to kill her. 
He replied : ' Why, goodwife Quimby, do you think that I will 
kill you?' She said she was afraid he would, because he 
killed all English. Symon then said : ' I will give quarter to 
never an English dog of you all,' and then gave her a blow on 
the head — which did not happen to hurt her much — at which, 
being a woman of great courage, she threw a stone at him. 
He then turned upon her and struck her two more blows, at 
which she fell and he left her for dead. Before he gave her 
the last blow she called to the garrison for help. He told her 
she need not do that, for, said he, 'I will have that, too, by 
and by.' Symon was well known to many of the inhabitants, 
and especially to Mrs. Quimby, as he had formerly lived with 
her father, William Osgood." 

Mrs. Quinby was a brave woman, and had she been with 
Mrs. Dustin at a later period, would, no doubt, have assisted 
her in despatching those sleeping savages. 

Who the murdered men were we have no means of knowing, 
but Mrs. Quinby's husband, Robert Quinby, died or was killed 
about this time, and very likely may have been one of those 
spoken of as being killed on the 7th of July. 

Administration on his estate was granted to his widow Eliz- 
abeth August 9th, which would seem to favor that theory. Tra- 
dition has handed down the story of the murder of part of a 
Weed family at an early date, and it may have been at this 
time. This Weed family lived near the late Ephraim Merrill's, 
his farm being part of the homestead of Nathaniel Weed and 
his ancestor John. 



Io6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

For the first twenty years of the town's corporate existence 
no records of births, marriages or deaths are to be found, and 
no information can be obtained from that source ; consequently 
the names of those who fell during this fearful raid must remain 
unknown. 

Mr. Quinby was not one of the first eighteen, but, probably, 
came to town in 1658, when he and his father Osgood bought 
the farm of Roger Eastman, near William Sargent's, which was, 
perhaps, within calling distance of the garrison on the plain. 
He married Elizabeth Osgood, daughter of William Osgood, in 
1 64 1 and was admitted a townsman here in 1660. He received 
land in several divisions, the first lot being at the river in 1659. 

His inventory contained "house and lot ^40, 6 acres at 
Whitters hill ,£10, land at Bugsmore jQt» at Birchin Meadow 
hill ^20, 7 neat cattle ^22, 6 swine £■$, two mares £4, 6 
sheep £2, bed & bedding & household stuff jQ6, 10 yards 
cloth £2." 

In the Lion's Mouth division Robert drew a lot on the north 
side of the road, which is now owned by Philip Jones. On 
this lot a house was built by some of his descendants, and for 
a long period it was owned by the Quinbys. The cellar, par- 
tially filled in, may yet be seen near Mr. Jones' gate. The old 
house, which was well lined with bricks to the chambers to 
guard against the Indians, was torn down more than a century 
since and some of the bricks used in Mr. Jones' chimney. 
And even here the family were not safe, for a boy was carried 
into captivity and held for some time, being scantily fed so that 
lie was quite willing to gnaw the bones thrown away by the 
Indians, a habit which he retained long after returning home. 

1678. 

There was some controversy with Mr. Wells in regard to the 
land granted him and an exchange of land which the town 
wished to make. A large committee was chosen to settle the 
matter and their decision was to be entered in the town book. 
A road had been reserved through his land, probably with the 
agreement to make it passable. The grant was the lot then 
known as the Vane lot and lay south of William Sargent's house 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IO7 

and lot, and was the Academy lot with a portion of the field 
owned by the late Capt. William Bartlett. To get rid of build- 
ing this highway, the town once offered him the minister's house 
to move on to this spot and ,£20. The report of the committee 
is not found on the records according to order, and we cannot 
tell how the matter ended. 

Samuel Colby was chosen "to keep a public house of enter- 
tainment." This seems to be the first public house authorized 
by the town, and was located on the corner of the Haverhill and 
"Mill" road, now known as Bartlett's corner. The house stood 
a little to the west of Mr. Thornell's grocery and just back of 
the large elm. This vicinity seems to have been the home of 
the Colbys. 

James Freeze was building vessels at Jamaco about this time. 

1679. 

This year the town ordered a monthly lecture by the minister 
during the warm season, as appears by the following : — 

"Voted, that there shall be a lecter the last Waddensday of 
every month from March to Mickaelmus." * 

Mr. Wells' rate was ordered to be made twice per year : 
spring and fall. 

William Osgood, sen., and Samuel Foot were chosen jurors 
to Salisbury court. 

Thomas Fowler commenced a law-suit against the town and 
Capt. Samuel Foot was ordered " to pocequet the case in the 
behalf of y e town from court to court till y e case be ended and 
lykwise to make youce of any y l may be help full to him in 
y e case." 

The nature of this law-suit does not appear on the record at 
this time. 

1680. 

The town added ten pounds to Mr. Wells' salary "so long 
as he continues to carry on the work of the ministry among 
us." Thus in the eight years of his ministry he had proved 
faithful to his trust and retained the confidence of his people. 

* Feast of St. Michael occurred September 29th, — Roman Catholic festival. 



Io8 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1681. 

The bounds of land was ordered to be renewed this year 
and a complete return made in the book of records ; and had 
the book been carefully preserved, it would have been very val- 
uable at the present time. But the careless treatment during 
two hundred years, which it has evidently received, has resulted 
in the loss of portions of valuable record. 

1682. 

At this period it was difficult to find persons willing to serve 
as selectmen. The first board chosen this year declined, and 
at an adjourned meeting, Richard Currier was fined i s. for 
refusing to serve, and several others when chosen declined. 
What the real cause of this singular course was, we have no 
means of knowing ; but it is certain that the pay of town offi- 
cers at this time was mere nothing. 

George Martyn, Robert Jones and John Prowse were appointed 
to lay out the peeke land. 

An ancient plan found in the commissioner's office at Salem, 
made in 1715, shows that the "peeke" was not then wholly 
laid out. This plan, also, shows that there was a regular sys- 
tem of lotting the town from the first. All farms and lots were 
laid with right angles, making squares or rectangles. 

It is evident by the following deposition that the saw mill was 
yet in order and doing its work as at first : — 

"The deposition of Richard Currier, aged about sixty-six 
yeares, testyfieth that I kep a Sawe Mill at Amesbury neare unto 
the Sawe Mill that do belong unto Salsbury upon the seam 
river and I have sawin this Spring about five or six thousand 
foot of bord a weeke for three months together, and doe Swere 
that y e Sawe Mill that do belong unto Salsbury is no waies 
inferior to the mill at Amesbury and have ben as well improved, 
and further saith that the Saw mills did sett about four month 
but had not a full hed of water." 

September 25th, 1682. 

1683. 

The little burying ground was found insufficient for public- 
convenience and the town chose a committee to make an 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IO9 

exchange with Thomas Colby, who owned land adjoining. There 
was yet some common land belonging to the town, and the 
design was to give him a sufficient quantity of this to make an 
even trade. How much addition was made we have no means 
of knowing. 

The selectmen were instructed to sell or let a portion of the 
minister's land as they might judge for the best. 

1684. 

Thomas, son of Valentine Rowell, died this year, probably in 
the early part, as the inventory bears date May 6th. 

He gave his wife, Sarah, all his property during her lifetime, 
and after her death two shares to his son Valentine. He was 
a farmer and had two oxen, five cows, three two-year olds, 
fourteen swine, one horse, three calves, sixteen sheep and lambs. 

The inventory amounted to ^275. He probably lived at the 
east end of the town, but the exact location is not known. 
He received the grant of a township when he was but sixteen 
years old, was selectman in 1673 and 1679, and was on various 
committees. 

In a return made by the lot layers of the bounds between 
the town's and John Pressy's land is found the following : " it 
is to be understood y l y e above said Pressy bounds shall run 
from y e Barn of John Pressy to y e north end of his new house 
as y e fence now stands and from y e corner of y e said fence to 
a stump of a white oak tree near James Georges house. Dat 
may y e first 1684." This location was, probably, between Pres- 
sy's creek and that at the River village, but it would be impos- 
sible to fix the exact spot. 

The death of "Edman Elleat" occurred in the early part of 
this year or latter part of 1683, but the date is not definitely 
known. He was not a signer of the Articles of Agreement, and 
the first we find of him in this town is on the list of the River 
lots, having drawn No. 4. 

In 1 66 1 or 1662 he was granted a common right or town- 
ship which was voted to Jarret Haddon's daughter. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Jarret Haddon, and that accounts 
for his grant of the township. 



IIO HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

He held fewer offices than most of the eighteen, but was occa- 
sionally chosen, and was Prudential man in 1680. He was a 
soldier in the fierce Indian wars that raged in 1675 an d f° r 
some years later, and made his will before marching away, and 
it is now on file in the Probate office at Salem, and is as 
follows : — 

"Edman Elleat The last will of Edman Elleat being wall 
& in p r fitt memory is a followeth that after my desease my 
honest deats being payd y e remainder of my Estate I doe 
leave w th my wife to be at her disposing tell my son comes 
of age & then I doe give y e an half of my estate to my wife 
duering her life & y e other halfe of my Estate to my son John 
Elleat & after my wife decease I do give my whole Estate to 
my son & if my son dyes before he comes of age then after 
my wifes deseace the remainder of my estate that is left I do 
give to my nerest relatives that are in England. And I doe 
also make my wife my sole Executres as witness my hand. 
Dat y e 26 day of feabewary 1675. 

Witness his 

Richard Currier Edman 1 1 I Elleat 

Thomas Currier. mark." 

At court Richard Currier and his son Thomas made oath 
that they heard said Elleat declare to them the above will 
" when he was going unto the waers," when it was proved 
March 17th, 1684. The will, written by Richard Currier, is on 
file endorsed " Edmond Elliat will 1684." The inventory 
amounted to ^480 n s. 3d. 

"Y e dwelling house & outhousing & land they stand upon 
playns : A lot by meeting house ; A lot by Goodman Martins ; 
A lot by y e back River; A lot at Whitch 5 hill; A lot at Red- 
oak hill ; Three lots of meadow at y e black rock creek ; A lot 
of meadow near to Fox island ; One lot in y e Lyons Mouth ; 
A Great swamp lot ; A lot of meadow in y e cow common ; A 
great lot ; Two lots of meadow at brush island ; A lot of meadow 
in y e new meadows." 

He lived on the plain near Sandy hill, not far from that part 
owned by the late Rev. N. Lasell, and his inventory confirms 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. Ill 

this fact when speaking of his buildings, by saying " they stand 
upon playns." He was a large lanu owner and left a large 
property to his only son, who, at the time he made his will, 
was a minor. His wife was, however, to retain possession of 
the whole till his son became of age, when she was limited to 
the income of one-half. 

1685. 

The main Haverhill road through Amesbury was laid out anew 
this year, although there was a "path," as sometimes mentioned, 
that led to Haverhill long since. The following is the record : — 

"We whose names are subscribed being chosen and appointed 
by the Selectmen of Haverhill and Amesbury according to their 
order have laid out and sufficiently marked out a country high- 
way betwixt Haverhill and Amesbury of four rods wide lying 
from iVmesbury meeting house to the Widow Bettels lot as it 
is now bounded out and have been formerly marked out which 
bounds are now marked and were made and so from the Widow 
Bettel's lot to the Country Bridge at the east meadows which 
is laid out as hath been formerly marked out and runs thence 
to the east end of the town and so to the Meeting house. 

As witness our hands this eighth day of April 1685. 
Thomas Whittier~\ Thomas Sargent 

John Page V Thomas Fowler 

Daniel Lade jr ) William Sargent." 

It was intended to make a broad, permanent road through- 
out, and such has been the result with the exception of 
encroachments made, from time to time. The road is given on 
the plan of 1715 entire. It was "marked out" in 1642, but 
there was, probably, very little fence on the whole route from 
the meeting house to the Haverhill line, even at this day. 

1686. 

It was "voted to allow Mr Wells fifty shillings in money out 
of the fifty pounds which they formerly granted him." 

It was, also, " voted that there should be no more added tow 
Mr Wells is mayntainance." 

It had been customary to pay in produce, there being very 
little money in circulation ; but Mr. Wells needed some money 



112 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

as well as provisions, and after making this generous grant the 
town was not in favor of enlarging his salary. In June, how- 
ever, a meeting was held for the special purpose of repealing 
this vote, and it was "made of no effect." 

The record of births, marriages and deaths commences this 
year. Mr. Wells was chosen register of births and burials (as 
he hath it) and commenced a new book, which is the oldest 
one now in the clerk's office. If there ever was an earlier one 
it is lost, and its loss can never be supplied. Richard Currier 
was "Clark of the writs" from 1662 to the time Parson Wells 
or his son Thomas was chosen. It may be proper to state that 
the town clerk was not necessarily "Clark of Writs," as the offi- 
ces were separate. 

The first law in regard to the registration of births, marriages 
and deaths was enacted in 1642, and allowed 3 d. to the 
"Clark of the writs" for recording and returning to the "Cort 
Recorder." All magistrates were required to make due return 
of all marriages solemnized before them. One penny each was 
to be sent to the recorder, thus reducing the " Clarks " pay to 
2 d. Thus, in a book not as large over as common sized note 
paper, began registration which, in its more perfected form at 
the present time, requires two lines across two pages of a very 
large book. 

Under the early system it was difficult to trace families, even 
when the record was complete ; under the present the work is 
made easy. 

Rachel, wife of William Barnes, died February 9th. 

The death of George Martin, it is believed, took place this 
year, as his name appears no more on the record after the 
March meeting, when he was chosen on the committee to show 
men their bounds. He held office almost continually till his 
death. His line of services seemed to be in laying out land 
and roads and bounding lots. He must have been very familiar 
with the various lots and their bounds. He was one of the 
earliest pioneers in this western territory, crossing the Powow 
in 1649 at which time he bought half of a twenty-acre lot of 
Thomas Macy adjoining that river. Here he built his house 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 13 

and lived till the nth, 12th mo., 1650, (February nth, 165 1 ) 
when he sold his farm to Philip Challis. He now removed a 
short distance to the farm which he bought of Anthony Saddler, 
also on the Powow. This place he sold to Richard Currier in 
e66o and removed to the west side of Ring's hill on the old 
Hunt's lane, where he lived till his death. In 1667 the town 
ordered a " bregh " near his house, and the road across the 
swamp may yet be seen and the brook over which the bridge 
was laid. 

He was, probably, born in England and came to this coun- 
try when quite young. He was first married in 1643, and again 
in 1646 to Susanna North, daughter of Richard North. His 
children were 

Hannah, born Feb. 1, 1644,* Hester, born April 7, 1653, 
Richard, born June 29, 1647, J ane > born Nov. 2, 1656, 
George, born Oct. 21, 1648, William, born Dec. n, 1662,! 
Abigail, born Oct. 10, 1649, Samuel, born Sept. 29, 1667, 
John, born Jan. 26, 165 1, William, J born 

1687. 

A committee was chosen to "rectifie all y e highways" "and 
to return all bounds of lots according to y e grant upon record 
into y e town book of Records," but the record is very imper- 
fect and it is doubtful if the business was properly attended 
to. 

At this meeting " Left. Foot, Insine Weed and Thomas Sar- 
gent were placed at y e table ; and they three or y e mag r part 
of them ware to seate those y l are not seated or to remove 
any persons into seats in y e meeting house as they shall see 
case." The town has always exercised the right to seat people 
where they thought proper, and, no doubt, somewhat according 
to rank or wealth. 

It seems that wolves were yet troublesome, and this year a 
bounty of 20 s. was offered for every one killed. It was no 
uncommon thing for parties to engage in hunting wolves, as it 
was rather dangerous business for one alone. Whole neighbor- 

* By first wife, Hannah, f Died a few day's old. t Born, probably, between 
1662 and 1667. 



114 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

hoods sometimes turned out, after some depredations among the 
sheep, to hunt these "varmints." 

The Indians were at this time very troublesome, especially 
at the eastward, and the troop of horse commanded by Capt. 
Pike was hardly sufficient to protect the inhabitants. He failed 
to get assistance from the General Court as desired, but, provi- 
dentially, this section escaped serious harm. 

Richard Currier died February 2 2d. He was one of the first 
settlers and a very prominent man, and, evidently, a very capable 
one. He was early in Salisbury, as we find him buying Joseph 
Moyce's "new house and all things thereto belonging" in 1644. 
In February, 1652, he was chosen with Anthony Colby to lay 
out a road from "Mill bridge to y e playne that, goeth to Lions 
Mouth," and he was with Thomas Macy in building the first 
saw mill, and received land in most of the divisions, besides 
many special grants. He was chosen clerk in 1662 and ordered 
to get a new book for records, and held the office twelve years. 
He was, also, "Clark of the writs." He served on the board 
of selectmen twelve years, the last of which was in 1683, only 
four years before his death, which shows that he was still capa- 
ble though aged. It was, however, against his will and he 
declined serving and was fined 1 s. Several others were chosen 
and declined, but, finally, on being re-chosen, he consented to 
serve. In 1665 he was on the committee to build the first 
meeting house and was chosen to go to " Mr Showell or Mr 
Woodbridge son to see if he could obtayn them to be helpful 
in the work of the Ministry." When the people decided to 
petition the General Court for a separation from the old town, 
he was chosen to manage the matter, riding to Boston, probably, 
on horseback, and returning with the news of perfect success. 
No doubt he was joyfully received by the people. He was 
one of the "Commissioners to end small cases" many years. 

After Mr. Woodbridge closed his labors he was again chosen 
with Philip Challis to go to Kittery to obtain the services of 
Mr. Hubberd in the ministry. He was sometimes joined with 
the selectmen to make the "Country rates." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 115 

He was a great land owner some portion of his life, owning 
lots in every section of the town and frequently buying and 
selling, as the old deeds at Salem show. He testified in 1682 
that his mill was still in good order and sawing about " five 
or six thousand per week," when there was water. He led a 
very busy, useful life and was a man of much dignity and sound 
judgment. It is believed that he gave his son Thomas a large 
portion of his land while living, as there is no record of much 
property left at his death. During the latter part of his life he 
married Joanna Rowell, widow of Valentine Rowell, and at his 
death lived with her son Philip. His homestead was, no doubt, 
near the mills, as ''his work" spoken of must have meant 
tending the mill, and he had a lane that led from the road to 
"his work." He sold, in 1662, a house and one hundred acres 
of land, near Haverhill, to William Ilsley for ^55 sterling. 
After his death his widow gave his bed to Sarah Rowell, her 
daughter-in-law, and on her putting it out doors to air, the 
Widow Foot ( R. Currier's daughter ) came down and took it. 
Sarah Rowell complained before Worshipful Maj. Pike and the 
case was tried and decided against her. A petition is on file 
at Salem saying that " Richard Currier lived with her several 
years before his death, and that she ought to have his bed which 
he left." She appealed from the decision of Maj. Pike to the 
county court. 

His children were Hannah, born Oct. 5, 1643 j Thomas, 
born Oct. 1, 1646; Richard, (probably) birth unknown. 

Walter Taylor died February nth. He was not a signer of 
the articles adopted in 1654 nor among the first eighteen, but 
was early made a townsman. He received land in 1659 and 
was granted liberty to cut timber on the common for building 
vessels. He drew lot No. 2 in the river lots. He, no doubt, 
lived near the river and, probably, where the late John DaVis 
lived, near the Merrimac hat factory. After his death the land 
granted to him was given to Francis Davis, ancestor of the late 
John Davis. This fact would seem to fix his residence there, 
and his ship-yard may have been in front of his premises, near 
the present elm on the river's bank. An ancient bounding 



Il6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

of the Martin road describes it as passing along the bank " four 
rods wide to land of Walter Taylor." 

He was said to have been a turbulent, noisy man, frequently 
before the courts for his violent abuse and profane language. The 
Norfolk county records contain the following : — 

"And Walter Taylor, for using cursing speaches to his ser- 
vants, is judged to have to pay 10 s. ; to y e treasurer of 
y e County." 

He was seldom chosen to office and we have been unable 
to find at what time he took the oath of freeman. 

Abraham Joy died July 2d. 

The name of Jewell is first found in town this year. Thomas 
Jewell and his wife, Susannah Guilford Jewell, removed from 
, <yuHingham, where they first settled ; and tradition has handed 
down a bit of romance in regard to them. Thomas was host- 
ler to Lord Guilford, an English nobleman, and by some means 
won the love of his daughter, and knowing that the consent of 
the . noble Lord could never be obtained to the marriage of his 
daughter with any but of equal rank, they planned and carried 
out an elopement. Quitting England, they arrived safely in the 
new world and took up their residence at Hingham. But this 
was rather a public town, and they were afraid of detection by 
the enraged Lord ; and young Jewell with his accomplished 
wife fled to the wilds of Amesbury, where there could be but 
little chance of being discovered. In the mean time the father 
had taken a very rational view of the affair, and sent out a 
vessel laden with presents and articles for the enjoyment and 
comfort of his lost daughter. But no trace of them could be 
found, and the presents were never delivered. Mr. Jewell pur- 
chased a tract of land north of "Whitchers" hill in a perfect 
wilderness, where the name is yet found and a portion of the 
homestead yet owned by a descendant.* When the long dis- 
puted line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts was 
adjusted, a portion of the homestead was found within the 
former province. After the incorporation of South Hampton, 
Joseph, son of Thomas and Susannah Jewell, became very 
prominent in town affairs, filling every important office. 
* Benj. R. Jewell, Esq. 






<*&" 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 117 

In 1 71 2, Thomas Jewell gave his son Thomas one-third of 
his farm (next Powow river) to maintain himself and wife. 

1688. 

According to the custom the town again voted to continue 
Mr. Wells' maintenance, "as formerly agreed upon," although 
Samuel Colby, Joseph Large and Samuel Weed dissented. 

The most prominent event of this year was the death of 
Sergt. John Hoyt, sen., February 28th. Among those entrust- 
ed with office by the new town, he was prominent. He, prob- 
ably, was from England, but the precise location is not known. 
He was in Salisbury in 1639 or 1640, but was not made a 
freeman till Oct. 3d, 1650. He served as selectman eight 
years, was on the committee to lay out the Great Swamp, to pur- 
chase a house for the minister, to treat with Capt. Pike, to build the 
meeting-house, and was constable and grand juryman. He served as 
moderator of a town meeting held April 27th, 1687, which would 
show that he retained his faculties remarkably well. He was a 
military officer in Norfolk county. He married two wives by 
the name of Frances, but it does not appear who they were. 

Children of his first wife : — Frances, born ; married 

John Colby, January 14th, 1656, and John Barnard, December 
27th, 1676. She died January 2d, 1721. John, born 1638; 
married Mary, daughter of William Barnes. Thomas, born Jan- 
uary 1st, 1640; married Mary Brown. Georgie, born January 
1st, 1641 ; died January 1st, 1642. Elizabeth, born February 
33d, 1643. 

Children of second wife:— Sarah, born January 16th, 1645, 
died . February 26th. Mary, born February 24th, 1646. Joseph, 
born May 13th, 1648, died young. Joseph, born November 
27th, 1649. Marah, born November 24th, 1653. Naomi, born 
January 23d, 1655. Dorothie, born April 13th, 1656. 

Jarret Haddon died this year, but the date is not known, 
as his death is not found on the Amesbury record. The inven- 
tory of his estate bears date June 1st, 1689. He was one of 
the signers of the Articles of Agreement, and received land in 
nearly every division. At the time when the town was grant- 
ing "townships" to the children, in 1660, he had no son and 



I l8 • HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

then received a "town shiep for on of his daughters." In 
1662 Edmond Elliott, by vote of the town, took that right, 
and at a later date his grant of 20 acres west of the pond is 
said to lie "next his Father Hadden lot." He married Eliza- 
beth Haddon, which explains the whole matter. He served on 
various committees : was commissioner to end small cases in 
1673, prudential man ini6y6, '79 and '80, and was a large landholder. 
His inventory footed up ^181, 5s. His residence is not 
known, but he lived at the east end of the town and some 
of his land is described as running from the country road to 
Powow river, lying probably in the vicinity of the road to 
Weare point, mostly south of it. He took the oath of freeman 
May 14th, 1634, his name being spelled "Terad Hadden" on 
the record. 

His children were, so far as known : — Sarah, born January 
15th, 1640. Mary, (date not known) married Henry Blaisdell ; 
and Elizabeth, who married Edmond Elliott and was executrix 
to his will in 1684. 

1689. 

The town's management in religious matters was very singu- 
lar, especially as regards the minister. Although Mr. Wells was 
settled, according to the custom of the times, for life, yet the 
town annually voted on the question of keeping him another 
year, sometimes voting that they were clear of him and he 
them. In October a meeting was held at which they did nothing 
but to vote on this question. The first vote after choosing 
moderator was "At y e same metting it was voted y l we desire 
to have a minister among us." Second vote — " Voted that we 
would send to Mr. Wells to know his mind, whether he would 
still continue in y e work of y e ministry among us." Third vote — 
"Voted y l y e towne was cleare from Mr. Wells, and Mr. Wells 
from y e towne." They repudiated the idea of having settled 
Mr. Wells for life. Thus the matter rested till December 26th, 
when a meeting was held and it was " Voted that the Minister 
that carrys on y e worke of y e ministry amongst us shall have for 
his pains fifty pounds a yeare." 

"Att y e same metting y e towne made choyce of Mr. Wells to 
be their Minister." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 119 

" At y e same metting it was voted that Mr. Wells shall have 
his fire-wood brought home two him for this yeare insuing 
and y e yeare to begin y e 20 day of november last 89." So in 
their own peculiar way they came around all right, giving Mr. 
Wells a good salary, his fire-wood hauled to his door, and 
dating back the beginning of his year. 

In 1^86 the king sent a royal commission to take posses- 
sion of the government of Massachusetts Bay, which was 
strongly opposed by the General Court and by the people, but 
without effect, as will be seen by Vol. V. Mass. Records. This 
year the town voted "that y e government chosen in y e yeare 
1686, Governor, Deputy Governor and assistance to gether with 
y e debutys according to charter Rites should be resumed and 
to that end we have sent our tristy frinds Capt Foot and Sam- 
well Colby as our Representitives to act in our behalfs : it is 
also our desires that such magistrates as may be thought con- 
venant may be added to y e former authority." 

The course pursued by the king was considered usurpation, 
and the people were very jealous of their rights and never 
failed to express their minds pretty clearly. 

Lieut. John Weed, sen., died March 15th, after a long and 
useful life. He was one of the signers of the Articles of Agree- 
ment and received larrd in nearly every division. Was selectman 
nine years, was commissioner, constable, one of the committee 
to lay out the Great swamp, on the committee to rectify 
bounds, one of the committee to find a minister in 1669, and 
served the town in various capacities. He was chosen to treat 
with Capt. Pike in regard to his land in Amesbury, and also to 
treat with the "Gentlemen of y e old towne." He was placed 
by the town at the "tabell" in 1687 with authority to place 
others, which shows to some extent the estimation in which he 
was held. He lived in the neighborhood of the late Ephraim 
Merrill, and when the bounds of the road over Bailey's hill 
were defined, he owned land between the hill and Haverhill 
road. Ephraim Merrill's homestead was originally part of 
Lieut. Weed's homestead farm, which was valued at ^280 when 
he died. The following is a copy of his inventory, filed June 
4th, 1690 : — 



120 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Homestead, £ 2 %° 

Marsh, 50 

Land at Fox Island, 80 

Two forty-acre lots behind pond, 60 

1 lot behind pond, 15 

Land at Brandy Brow, 80 

Land at Birchin plain, 1 

Bugsmore lot, 3 

Great Swamp lot, 5 

Land at Peke, 4 

Marsh near hog house, o 15 
65 sheep, 1 horse, 17 lambs, 8 swine, 4 pigs suck- 
ing, hemp and flax — 20 lbs., 6 cows, 5 yearlings. 

Total. ^737 7 8 
Sam. Foot, ^ 

Thos. Sargent, >• Appraisers. 
Thos. Barnard,) 

The children of John Weed were Mary, Samuel, John, Eph- 
raim, Joseph, George, Nathaniel and Anna. 

It is probable that William Huntington died this year, al- 
though no record is found of his death. His name does not 
appear on the Articles of Agreement in 1654, but he was one 
of the first eighteen who organized the town in 1655, and sub- 
sequently drew lots in nearly all of the divisions. At what date 
he came, across the Powow is not known, but John Bayly, sen., 
by will gave himself and wife a house and five acres of land at 
the Ferry, and also a twenty-acre lot at the river in 1652, 
being the premises which he bought of Valentine Rowell. De- 
cember 1 st, 1652 this property was deeded to John Bayly, jr., 
and re-deeded to William, his wife and two children, January 
4th, 1653. The house and five acres was sold April 2d, 1662, 
to John Maxfield, for ^5. His first residence in town 
seems to have been at the Ferry. He also sold, July 20, 1662, 
a twenty-acre lot west of the Buttonwood road (the lot which 
he drew originally) to Robert Pike, for ^5 sterling. About the 
same time he sold to Walter Taylor six acres on the river end 
of a lot which he owned. July 2d, 1662, he bought a twenty- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 121 

acre lot on the river, of Robert Fitts, which was bounded 
easterly by his own land. In 1663 he sold his thirty-acre lot 
at Cobler's brook, which butted southerly on the Haverhill 
road, to Morris Tucker. In 1664 he bought a twenty-acre lot 
of John Hoyt, on the river, lying between the original lots of 
William Holdred (now his) and Joseph Parker's. He was an 
extensive land holder, and a very quiet, industrious and valua- 
ble member of the company. Whether the present Hunting- 
ton house at Pleasant Valley was built and occupied by him is 
a matter of doubt as his son John was married in 1665 and 
very likely built this house. This theory is strengthened by the 
remains of an old cellar a few rods away, but on the same 
original lot. 

1690. 

As most of the time Indian wars were harassing the colony, 
it became necessary to keep armed bodies of men to guard 
against surprise, and the towns were obliged to contribute men 
for that purpose, unless so situated as to make it unsafe for 
them to spare any part of their people, in which case they were 
denominated "frontier towns," and excused from contributing 
to the common safety. Amesbury being thus situated chose a 
committee consisting of " Mr Wells and y e Militia and y e Select- 
men or y e mager part of them two draw up a petition to pre- 
sent to y e Court that we may be accounted a frountere towne 
and for severall other p r ticklers that they shall think needfull to 
petision for." 

It is probable that this petition was granted, as it was well 
known that Amesbury had suffered severely from Indian raids. 
Edward Cottle, one of the first eighteen, moved to Dukes 
county on account of being burnt out by the Indians. His 
house was burnt once by accident and once during an incur- 
sion of the Indians into the western part of the town. Cottle 
lived at Jamaco, as it was then called, and one of the landings 
near his premises was named for him. Others at "Jamaco" 
had their houses plundered about this time. John Hoyt men- 
tions in a petition to the General Court about having his house 
plundered by Indians. 

16 



122 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The town again voted Mr. Wells fifty pounds. 

The last three years have been remarkable for the deaths of 
prominent men, who did noble work for the town in its early 
history, and this year records the death of another pioneer, who 
has been conspicuous on nearly every page of the record. 

Capt. Samuel Foot died July 7th. He was not a signer of 
the Articles, but came to town about 1658, when he was 
chosen one of a committee to lay out the river lots. He drew 
lot No. 1, which lay along the western side of the Buttonwood 
road, but cut off from the river by John Weed's ten-acre lot. 
He was made a townsman' December 10th, 1660, and after- 
wards received numerous grants of land. He held many offices, 
was Representive in 1689 and was one of the favored three 
who were seated at the "tabell" in church in 1667. He lived 
at Jamaco and it is very probable that his house was a "gar- 
rison house," several times spoken of as "Capt. Foots fort." 
Judging from his frequent services, he must have been specially 
fitted to preside over town meetings, and was, no doubt, a man 
of more than ordinary decision and ability. 

Dr. Parish, in his History of New England, says: "Ames- 
bury was assaulted, three persons killed, and three houses 
burned, and Capt. Foot was tortured to death." But no men- 
tion is made of such fact on the Amesbury records. 

Mr. Well's salary of fifty pounds was again voted him. 

John Hoyt, jr., grandson of the first John and son of John, 
2d, died August 24th, 1691. He lived at the west end of the 
town, his house, as described in the inventory of his estate, 
being "House & land at Jamaicoe j£6o." He had a meadow 
lot, lot in the children's land, two lots at Lion's Mouth and lot 
at Country pond. The inventory footed up ,£153, 10 s. 

Thomas Hoyt, son of John Hoyt 1st, died January 3d and 
the inventory of his estate was returned to Probate court March 
19th by John Hoyt (then sen.) and Henry Blasedell, sen., his 
son Thomas being administrator. As a curiosity, showing to 
some extent the spelling and tools of the age, we quote from 
the record the items on the inventory : — 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. I 23 

"Seuen Turening hooks i mandrill i Lane, 4 senters o 10 o 
It, 4 augers o 10 o 

It, 2 addses & 1 draugh shaue, 2 chissells o 17 o 

It, 2 cross cutt Sawes o 15 o 

It, 1 hand Saw 1 Tenant Saw 1 square o 15 o 

It, 1 warmeing pan 1 frying pan 1 Scimer o 10 o 

It, 1 musquett 1 sword o 15 o 

It, 2 Iron potts & Tramill 1 Iron Skillett o 10 o 

It, 1 grinding stone 1 fro o 05 6 

It, pailes & dishes 1 bottle 1 barrill o 06 o 

It, spining wheell 1 paire of keards o 04 o 

It, 1 sheep 1 hogg 1 chert 1 13 o 

It, a 35 acre Lott at Bugsmore 5 00 o 

It, 1 paire cart wheells o 15 o 

It, 1 cart rope a paire of plow jrons o 05 o 

It, hemp & flax o 02 o 

His property amounted to ^12, 12s., 6 d., and he owed 
£11, 10 s., 7 d. 

It is probable that he lived at the west end of the town. 
His age was fifty years. 

Mary (Haddon) wife of Henry Blasdell, sen., died Decem- 
ber 1 2th. 

The Indians were now causing very general alarm by their 
raids on the settlements at the eastward, and soldiers were 
called for to protect the people and their crops. A treaty was 
made in May with some of the principal chiefs, but soon broken. 
Major Pike, of Salisbury, was the chief officer in command and 
directed the movements against the enemy, and Capt. Thomas 
Harvey commanded the Amesbury forces. But little was accom- 
plished against the treacherous foe during the year. 

1692. 

In 1670 a road was laid out over Bayly's hill and damages 
awarded to Joshua Bayly and others ; but from some cause the 
matter had not been settled and this year the town voted to 
make Mr. Bayly " satisfaction for the road laid out over his 
hill by Newbury men." It was laid out by a sheriff's jury, 
perhaps against the wishes of the town. This year a brigantine 



124 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

of thirty-five tons was built at Amesbury, and it is probable that 
others had been built at a much earlier date. 

At the March meeting the question of employing Mr. Wells 
was again discussed, not really with the intention of dismissing 
him, but more especially to establish that long-contested point : 
that the town was not holden for his support. For many years 
the town had rather grudgingly voted his salary, thus wounding 
the feelings of the patient minister. As Mr. Wells had, evi- 
dently, been settled according to the usual custom of the time, 
it was a little vexing to find the vote year after year: "we are 
willing to have Mr. Wells settle among us." Nevertheless at 
this meeting the town voted "y l we ware willing to have Mr. 
Wells to be our Minister two settell amongst us and to alow 
him fifty pounds a yeare for the present and more when we are 
able." This rather cool invitation to remain, if it was an invi- 
tation, Mr. Wells did not seem to relish very much, and for- 
warded a communication to be read in the meeting, which is 
copied entire : 
To y e Inhabitants of y e town of Amisbury. 

Geittlemen: In answer to what you have presented to me 
this day by a coppy of y e town act, 

i I had a great deale rather you would supply yourselves 
better if you please. 

2 I would have you understand y' I am not unsensible of 
your low estate nor unwilling to take share w th you or to com- 
ply w th you under your sufferings by reason of y l publique 
calamity, the reason why many think so and have said so is 
( as I take it ) because every one feeleth their own sufferings 
and not mine ; If I should adict myself to be as strict w th many 
as I might I could verify their words. 

3 As to y e principal matter in hand I comply w th you and 
your act upon these conditions and terms viz : i That all acts 
votes and agreements respecting my settlement in y e worke of 
y e Ministry amongst you and my maintainance for y e same before 
that date Oct 25 : 89 before y l time unrepealed shall stand 
good and in full force virtue and efficacy to all true intents 
constructions and purposes whoever. 2 d ly That of y e bove men- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. I 25 

tioned date and all other since shall stand repealed and made 
voyd. 3 fl ly That as to yearly maintainance i I will abate 
either my fire wood or ten pound p r ann : at my own choyce 
according as I shall see cause to propound to y e Selectmen of 
y e towne from yeare to yeare about Michaelmus ; and y l during 
y e continuance of these wars and so long after untill y £ y e pub- 
lique extraordinary charges there of shall be defrayed in y e 
country and y £ after y l time ten pounds more p r ann shall be 
added to my maintainance beside my fire wood in equal con- 
dition w th y c former ; 4.1y If it should please God afterward 
during my service in y l kind to visit us with further calamities 
of y l nature I promise to make such future abatements as 
shall in equity or honesty be desired or as may be by any 
rational Indifferent honest man be judged suitable. 5ly That if 
you comply w th these proposals y l y e substance of this my 3d 
and last answer unto you especially y e conditions propounded 
be entered upon record in y e town book as y e final and last 
conclusion betwixt you and I iff you are not disposed to com- 
ply w th y e terms above propounded I only request you never to 
trouble mee more with proposals upon this account Just as you 
please I may be you Serv 1 Tho Wells." 

"Att y e same metting it was votted they would comply with 
Mr. Wells in y e severall pertickelers as he sent it in writing to 
us." Thus summarily ended a controversy that had continued 
for many years. 

The most noted event of this year was the accusation, trial 
and conviction of Susanna Martin as a witch. Most people 
were, at this time, believers in witches, and strange events were 
generally accounted for in that way. Whatever could not be 
explained readily was attributed to the agency of witchcraft, and 
there is but little doubt that persons thus accused, or commonly 
thought to be in league with the devil, were in some instances 
shrewd enough to take advantage of such superstition to obtain 
their ends by way of help or some other benefit. The public 
were credulous and superstitious, and the wonderful stories about 
witches riding through the air in tunnels and on broomsticks, 
happy and joyous on their nightly missions of evil, was just as 



126 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

much believed as the Good Book, which they so greatly rever- 
enced. In fact, within the memory of some now living, these 
wonderful feats were credited and witches feared. It afforded 
a very effectual way to punish an enemy or vent one's spite 
upon a neighbor. From all that we can learn after much 
research and careful consideration, the conclusion is reached 
that Susanna was above the average in intellectual and moral 
courage, being an outspoken, fearless woman, but very far from 
being a hypocrite. She was the daughter of Richard North, 
one of the first settlers in Salisbury, and was married to George 
Martin as second wife in 1646. At the time of her trial she 
was a widow, her husband having been dead some six or seven 
years. Her children were all of age and, as a natural conse- 
quence, the whole management of. the farm fell upon her at a 
time when woman's rights were but little respected. She was 
to some extent dependant upon her friends for labor, and thus 
came in contact with rough and sometimes uncivil persons, who 
would not have ventured to treat their male friends so ill. 

The complaint came from Salem, but John Allen says, in his 
deposition before Robert Pike, that James Freez* was the insti- 
gator of it. She lived on the south-west side of the hill, a lit- 
tle east of the late Aquilla Martin's, on the old "Hunt's lane," 
where John Pressy (who will figure somewhat conspicuously in 
the trial) would pass on his way from the Ferry to his home 
near South Amesbury. 

Judging that the reader will be interested to know about this 
fatal delusion and the summary process pursued in the trial 
of suspected persons, we have taken pains to copy the court 
file of the arrest and trial, and give it entire, as follows : — 

THE WARRANT. 

" To the Marshall of the County of Essex or his Lawful Dep- 
uties or to the Constable of Amesbury : 

you are in their Majes ts names hereby required forthwith or 

as soon as may be to apprehend and bring (before vs) Susanna 

Mertin of Amsbury in y e county of Essex Widdow at y e house 

of V Nathaniel Ingersalls in Salem village in order to her exam- 

* He lived at Jamaco. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 127 

ination Relating to high suspicion of sundry acts of Witchcraft 
donne or committed by her upon y e Bodys of Mary Walcot, 
Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam and Mercy Lewis of Salem vil- 
lage or farmes whereby great hurt and damage hath beene 
donne to y e bodys of said persons according to comp u of Capt. 
Jonathan Walcot & Serg Thomas putnam in behalf of their 
Majes ts this day exhibited before us for themselves and also for 
several of theire neighbors and here you are not to fail at your 
peril. 

Dated Salem Apr ill joth i6q2. 

John Hathorn ) A ■ , 
• / T .1 ^ ■ r Assistants. 
Jonathan Lorivin ) 

according to this Warrant I have apprehended Susanna Mar- 
tin Widdow of Amsbury and have brong or caused her to be 
brought to the place appointed for her examination p r Me 

Salem village this 2d May 1692. 

Orlando Bagley 
Const, of, Amesoury." 
Oyer & Terminer, June 27, 1692. 

Witnesses : John Pressy and wife and John Kimball and wife 
of Amesbury, John Allen, Barnard Peach, Jos. Ringg, William 
Brown, Jarvis Ringg and Mary, wife of Nathaniel Whitcher, of 
Salisbury, James Freeze,* Joseph Knight, John ^Atkinson, wife 
and son, of Newbury. 

Joseph Lanckester summoned the Amesbury witnesses and 
Joseph Eaton those from Salisbury. 

Preliminary Trial, June 26th, 1692. 

For the crime of witchcraft and sorcery, Susanna Martin pled 
not guilty. 

•'As soon as she came in Marcy had fits. 

Magistrate. Do you know this woman? 

Abigail Williams saith it is goody Martin, she hath hurt me 
often. 

Others by fits were hindered from speaking. 

Eliza Hubbard said she hath not been hurt by her. 

* Granted a common right in Amesbury January 19, 1669. 



128 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

John Indian said he had not been hurt. 

Marcy Lewis pointed to her and fell into a little fit. 

Ann Putnam threw her glove in a fit at her. 

Mag. What ! Do you laugh at it? 

Martin. Well I may at such folly. 

Mag. Is this folly, the hurt of persons? 

Mart I never hurt man or woman or child. 

Marcy. Marcy Lewis cried out she hath hurt me a great 
many times & pulls me down. 

Then Martin laughed again. 

Mag. Pray what ails these people? 

Martin. I dont know. 

Mag. But what do you think ails them? 

Martin. I dont desire to spend my judgment upon it. 

Mag. Don't you think they are bewitched? 

Martin. No. I don't think they are. 

Mag. Tell us your thoughts about them then? 

Martin. No. My thoughts are my own when they are in. 
but when they are out they are another's. Their master 

Mag. Their master; who do you think is their master? 

Martin. If they deal in the black art, you may know as 
well as I. 

Mag. Well, what have you done towards this? 

Martin. Nothing at all. 

Mag. Why, 'tis your appearance. 

Martin. Well, I cant help it. 

Mag. Is it not your master? How comes your appearance 
to hurt them? 

Martin. How do I know? He that appeared in the shape 
of Samuel may appear in anyone's shape. 

But the afflicted falling into fits when she did but look upon 
them, she was asked the Reason of it, and answered she could 
not tell, it may be the devil bore her more malice than 
another. 

So she was committed, and being brought to her Tryal the 
following Witnesses appeared to support the Charge of Witch- 
craft against her, besides the Accusation of the Afflicted. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. I 29 

John Allen, of Salisbury testified, that he refusing, because of 
the weakness of his oxen, to cart some staves at the request of 
this Martin, she was displeased at it, and said, it had been as 
good that he had, for his oxen should never do him much 
more service. Whereupon this deponent said, Dost thou 
threaten me, thou old Witch ? I'll throw thee into the brook ; 
which to avoid she flew over the bridge, and escaped. But as 
he was going home, one of his oxen tired, so that he was 
forced to unyoke him that he might get him home. He then 
put his oxen, with many more, upon Salisbury-beach, where 
cattle used to get flesh. In a few days, all the oxen upon the 
beach were found by their tracks to have run unto the mouth 
of Merrimack river, and not returned ; but the next day they 
were found come ashore upon Plum Island. They that sought 
them used all imaginable gentleness ; but they would run away 
with a violence that seemed wholly diabolical, till they came 
near the Mouth of Merrimack-river when they ran right into 
the sea, swimming as far as they could be seen. One of them 
then swam back again, with a swiftness amazing to the be- 
holder, who stood ready to receive him, and help up his tired 
carcass ; but the beast ran furiously up into the island, and 
from thence through the marshes, up into Newbury-town, and 
so up into the woods ; and after a while was found near Ames- 
bury. So, that of fourteen good oxen, there was only this 
saved : the rest were all cast up, some in one place, some in 
another, drowned. 

John Atkinson testified, that he exchanged a cow with a son 
of Susannah Martin, whereat she mutterd, and was unwilling he 
should have it. Going to receive this cow, though he ham- 
stringed her, and haltered her, she of a tame creauture grew 
so mad, that they could scarce get her along. She broke all 
the ropes that were fastened unto her ; and though she was 
tied fast unto a tree, yet she made her escape, and gave them 
such further trouble, as they could ascribe to no cause but 
witchcraft. 

Bernard Peache testified, that, being in bed, on a Lord's-day 
night, he heard a scrabbling at the window, whereat he then 

i7 



130 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

saw Susanna Martin come in, and jump down upon the floor, 
She took hold of the deponent's feet, and, drawing his body 
up into an heap, she lay upon him near two hours ; in all 
which time he could neither speak nor stir. At length, when 
he could begin to move, he laid hold on her hand, and pull- 
ing it up to his mouth, he bit three of her fingers, as he 
judged, to the bone ; whereupon she went from the chamber 
down stairs, out at the door. This deponent then called upon 
the people of the house to advise them of what passed ; and 
he himself followed her. The people saw her not ; but there 
being a bucket at the left hand of the door, there was a drop 
of blood on it, and several more drops upon the snow, newly 
fallen abroad. There was likewise the print of her two feet 
just without the threshold ; but no more sign of any footing 
further off. 

At another time this deponent was desired by the prisoner to 
come to husking of corn, at her house ; and she said, " If he 
did not come, it were better that he did." He went not ; but 
the night following, Susanna Martin, as he judged, and another, 
came towards him. One of them said, " Here he is ;" but he, 
having quaterstaff, made a blow at them ; the roof of the barn 
broke his blow ; but, following them to the window, he made 
another blow at them, and struck them down ; yet they got up, 
and got out, and he saw no more of them. About this time, 
there was a rumor about town that Martin had a broken head ; 
but the deponent could say nothing to that. The said Peache 
also testified, the bewitching of cattle to death, upon Martin 
discontents. 

Robert Downer testified, that this prisoner being some years 
ago prosecuted at court for a witch, he then said unto her " he 
believed she was a witch." Whereat she being dissatisfied, 
said, "that some she-devil would shortly fetch him away;" 
which words were heard by others, as well as himself. The 
night following, as he lay in his bed, there came in at the win- 
dow the likeness of a cat, which flew upon him and took fast 
hold of his throat, lay on him a considerable time, and almost 
killed him ; at length he remembered what Susanna Martin had 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



l 3* 



threatened the day before, and with much striving he cried out, 
" Avoid, thou she-devil ; in the name of God the Father, the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, avoid ; " whereupon it left him, 
leaped on the floor, and flew out at the window. 

And there, also, came in several testimonies that before even 
Downer spoke a word of this accident, Susanna Martin and her 
femily had related how this Downer had been handled. 

John Kimball testified that Susanna Martin, upon a causeless 
disgust, had threatened him about a certain cow of his, .that she 
should never do him any more good, and it came to pass 
accordingly, for soon after the cow was found stark dead on the 
dry ground, without any distemper to be discerned upon her ; 
upon which he was followed with a strange death upon more of 
his cattle, whereof he lost in one spring to the valve of ,£30. 
But the said John Kimball had further testimony to give in 
against the prisoner, which was truly admirable.* Being desirous 
to furnish himself with a dog, he applied himself to buy one 
of this Martin, who had a bitch with whelps at her house ; 
but she not letting him have his choice, he said he would 
supply himself then at one Blazdel's. Having marked a pupy 
which he liked at Blazdel's, he met George Martin, the hus- 
band of the prisoner, going by, who asked whether he would 
not have one of his wife's puppies, and he answered no. 
The same day one Edmund Eliot, being at Martin's house, 
heard George Martin relate where this Kemball had been 
and what he had said, where upon Susanna Martin replied, 
"If I live I'll give him puppies enough." Within a few 
days after this, Kemball coming out of the woods, there 
arose a little black cloud in the north-west and Kemball 
immediately felt a • force upon him which made him not 
able to avoid running upon the stumps of trees that 
were before him, although he had a broad, plain cart- way be- 
fore him ; but though he had his axe on his shoulder to en- 
danger him in his falls, he could not forbear going out of his 
way to tumble over them. When he came below the Meeting- 
house there appeared to him a little thing like a puppy, of a 

* No doubt of it. 



132 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

darkish colour, and it shot backwards and forwards between his 
legs. He had the courage to use all possible endeavors to cut 
it with his axe, but he could not hit it ; the puppy gave a 
jump from him, and went, as to him it seemed, into the 
ground. Going a little further, there appeared unto him a 
black puppy, somewhat bigger than the first, but as black as a 
coal. Its motions were quicker than those of his axe. It flew 
at his belly, and at his throat, so over his shoulders one way, 
and then over his shoulders another way. His heart now be- 
gan to fail him, and he thought the dog would have tore his 
throat out ; but he recovered himself, and called upon God in 
his distress, and naming the name of Jesus Christ, it vanished 
away at once. The deponent spoke not one word of these ac- 
cidents for fear of affrighting his wife. But the next morning, 
Edmund Eliot going into Martin's house, this woman asked 
him where Kimball was. He replied, "At home, a-bed, for 
ought he knew " she returned, " They say he was frighted last 
night." Elliot asked "With what?" She answered, "With 
puppies." Eliot asked where she heard of it, for he had heard 
nothing of it. She rejoined, "About town;" although Kimball 
had mentioned the matter to no creature living. 

William Brown testified, that Heaven having blessed him 
with a most pious and prudent wife, this wife of his one day 
met with Susanna Martin ; but when she approached just unto 
her, Martin vanished out of sight, and left her extremely af- 
frighted. After which time the said Martin often appeared 
unto her, giving her no little trouble ; and when she did come, 
she was visited with birds, that sorely pecked and pricked her ; 
and sometimes a bunch like a pullet's egg would rise on her 
throat, ready to choke her, till she cried out, "Witch, you 
shan't choke me!" While this good woman was in this ex- 
tremity, the church appointed a day of prayer on her behalf; 
whereupon the trouble ceased ; she saw not Martin as former- 
ly ; and the church, instead of their fast, gave thanks for her 
deliverance. But a considerable while after, she being sum- 
moned to give in some evidence at the court against this Mar- 
tin, quickly this Martin came behind her, while she was milk- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 33 

ing her cow, and said unto her, " For thy defaming me at 
court, I'll make thee the miserablest creature in the world." 
Soon after which, she fell into a strange kind of distemper, and 
became horribly frantic, and uncapable of any reasonable 
action ; the physicians declaring that her distemper was preter- 
natural, and that some devil had certainly bewitched her ; and 
in that condition she now remained. 

Sarah Atkinson testified, that Susanna Martin came from 
Amesbury, to their house at Newbury, in an extraordinary 
season, when it was not fit for any one to travel. She came 
all that long way on foot. She bragged and showed how dry 
she was ; nor could it be perceived that so much as the soles 
of her shoes were wet. Atkinson was amazed at it, and pro- 
fessed that she should herself have been wet up to her knees, 
if she had then come so far ; but Martin replied " she scorned 
to be drabbled." It was noted that this testimony, upon her 
trial, cast her into a very singular confusion. 

John Pressy testified, that being one evening very unaccounta- 
bly bewildered near a field of Martin, and several times as one 
under an enchantment, returning to the place he had left, at 
length he saw a marvelous light, about the bigness of an half 
bushel, near two rods out of the way. He went and struck at 
it with a stick, and laid it on. with all his might. He gave it 
near forty blows, and felt it a palpable substance. But going 
from it, his heels were struck up, and he was laid with his 
back on the ground ; he sliding as he thought, into a pit ; 
from whence he recovered, by taking hold on a bush ; although 
afterwards he could find no such pit in the place. Having 
after his recovery gone five or six rods, he saw Susanna Martin 
standing on his left hand, as the light had done before ; but 
they exchanged no words with one another. He could scarce 
find his house in his return ; but at length got home, extreme- 
ly affrighted. The next day it was upon inquiry understood, 
that Martin was in a miserable condition, by pains and hurts 
that were upon her. 

It was further testified by this deponent, that after he had 
given in some evidence against Susanna Martin many years ago, 



134 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

she gave him foul words about it, and said "he should never 
prosper ; and more particularly that he should never have more 
than two cows : that though he were ever so likely to have 
more, yet he should never have them;" and that, from that very 
day to this namely for twenty years together, he could never 
exceed that number, but some strange thing or other still pre- 
vented his having any more. 

Jarvis Ring testified, that about seven years ago he was 
oftentimes grievously oppressed in the night, but saw not what 
troubled him, until at length he, lying perfectly awake, plainly 
saw Susanna Martin approach him ; she came to him, and forci- 
bly bit him by the finger ; so that the print of the bite is now, 
so long after, to be seen upon him. 

But besides all these evidences, there was a most wonderful 
account of one Joseph Ring produced on this occasion. This 
man has been strangely carried about, by daemons, from one 
witch-meeting to another, for near two years together ; and for 
one quarter of this time they made him and kept him dumb, 
though he is now again able to speak. 

There was one T. H.* who, having, as 'tis 'judged, a design 
to engage this Joseph Ring in a snare of devilism, contrived to 
bring this Ring two shillings in debt unto him. Afterwards this 
poor man would be visited with unknown shapes, and this T. H. 
sometimes among them ; which would force him away with 
them, unto unknown places, where he saw meetings, feastings, 
dancings ; and after his return wherein they hurried him along 
through the air, he gave demonstrations to the neighbors that 
he had been so transported. This man affirmed that he saw 
Susanna Martin at several of these hellish meetings. 

Joseph Ring's testimony was nothing but the foolish story 
of one who was trying to outdo everybody by telling the big- 
gest lie, and should have had no weight at all. Such men 
took advantage of the credulity of the times. John Kimball 
was a prominent man in town but full of the superstitions of 
the times and had been for many years her enemy and now 
saw a good opportunity to punish her. 
*Thomas Hardy. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 35 

John Pressey's scene on the night that he came from the Ferry 
and crossed her land on his way home, was very much like 
one on another occasion when on his way home from the 
same place. He came home some time in the night very much the 
worse for wear — clothes badly torn and neck-handkerchief en- 
tirely gone — in short, he was in a bad condition. He said he 
had had a serious fight with wolves when half way home, and 
thought he would have been killed, but barely escaped with his 
life, bleeding and sadly scratched. Early next morning the 
neighbors were aroused to go down and examine the locality 
and perhaps find a dead wolf or two. They proceeded in the 
usual path, which was easily found in daylight, and soon found 
a large thorn-bush with his neck-handkerchief finely intertwined 
around the branches and thorns. Here was the scene of 
his dark fight with the wolves, and narrow escape with his life. 
This story, as handed down by tradition, has more of reality in 
it than any witch testimony ever offered. 

John Allen was a rum-seller, being an innholder in Salis- 
bury, and his evidence was warped by his interest, hate and 
prejudices ; and so with other witnesses ; although believing firm- 
ly in witchcraft, yet they selected those they disliked as proper 
persons to deal in that black art. But there are no witches 
now to trouble people — there were none then, and people gen- 
erally were greatly deceived in this matter. But this diabolical 
work went on until the accusations reached the relatives of 
Cotton Mather and the governor's wife, when it came to an 
abrupt termination. 

At the session of the court, January 3d, 1693, the grand jury 
brought in "Ignoramus" in thirty cases and twenty-six other 
bills were dismissed, while only three persons were convicted, 
and immediately pardoned by the governor. The reaction pur- 
sued the Rev. Mr. Paris, in whose house the thing first com- 
menced, till he was removed from his charge at Salem. 

When the humbug exploded there were one hundred and fifty 
in jail awaiting trial and two hnndred more accused. The fear- 
ful evil it might have wrought, had it been allowed to continue, 
can hardly be imagined. The idea of snatching this hard-work- 



136 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ing, honest woman from her home to be tried for her life by 
those who never knew her, and witnesses who were prejudiced 
against her, some of whom had been instructed, no doubt, how 
to act their part at the trial, is almost too much for belief. 
Enemies had watched their opportunity, secret informers had 
reported her to the junta at Salem, which held the lives of all 
in their bloody hands. Allowed no counsel, she was her own 
lawyer, and her answers are remarkable for independence and 
clearness. She showed herself to be a woman of more than 
ordinary talent and resolution. 

When she saw Orlando Bagley approaching on the morning 
of her arrest, little did she dream of his errand. He was a 
personal friend of long standing, and we can but faintly imagine 
her surprise when he made known his errand by reading the 
warrant. The mental anguish and suffering of the two and a 
half months while she lay in Salem jail, previous to her execu- 
tion, is beyond our power of description, and we leave the sub- 
ject with the reader to draw his own conclusions. 

1693. 

At this meeting "tything men" were chosen for the first time, 
and were as follows : — 

Henry Blaisdell, Henry Tuxbury, sen., Thomas Barnard, sen., 
John Gempson, Joseph Lanckester, jun., and Edward Hunt. 

At this early day the office was not what it became at a later 
period : merely for the regulation of mischievous boys in meeting, 
but was, really, an important one, with clearly defined powers. 
In* 1698 a statute was enacted more clearly defining the duties, 
and from that is quoted, as follows : — 

"Whose duty it shall be carefully to inspect all licensed 
houses and to inform of all disorders or misdemeanours which 
they shall discover or know to be committed in them, or any 
of them, to a justice of the peace, or sessions of the peace 
within the same county, as also of all such as shall sell by 
retail, without license, and other disorders or misdemeanours 
committed in any such house, and in like manner to present or 
inform of all idle and disorderly persons, profane swearers or 
cursers, sabbath breakers, and the like offenders." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 137 

Their duties were somewhat similar to those of state consta- 
bles of the present day. As an inducement to faithfulness they 
were to receive the benefit of informers, that, no doubt, meaning 
a certain portion of the fines. Their badge of office was "a 
black staff of two feet long, tipt at one end with brass about 
three inches, as a badge of their office, to be provided by the 
Selectmen at the charge of the town." It was an office of the 
times, peculiarly adapted to the regulation of church and state, 
but destined to die out under the march of improvement. The 
last tithing men were chosen in 1833, viz. : Daniel P. Locke 
and Enos Rendrick. 

Thomas Stevens and Thomas Frame were chosen school-mas- 
ters. 

The town granted Francis Davis the land formerly granted to 
Walter Taylor. 

Francis Davis lived at the river, near the house of the late 
Ira Miles, a little to the west of the ice house built a few years 
ago. The old house I well remember, but, with most of the 
ancient houses, it has been torn down. 

John Martin, son of George Martin, sen., died this year, aged 
forty-three years. He was a blacksmith and, probably, learned 
the tr^de of his father. His shop and tools were appraised at 
^55 and his homestead at ,£80. He had land at Brandy brow, 
and at the old pines at Goodale's hill. His stock consisted of two 
oxen, three cows, two yearlings, two calves and fifteen sheep. He 
lived at the west end of the town, in the vicinity of Red Oak 
hill. 

1694. 

Mr. Wells was chosen school-master with a salary of £20 
"to teach all persons that belong to y e town that shall attend 
the school at any time, except such lettell ons as cannot say 
there a b c and to begin y e first Monday in June next." The 
qualifications for admission to this high and district school were 
not placed very high and, probably, nearly all could enter when 
the school opened. 

Thomas Fowler, Samuel Colby, sen., and John Kimball, sen. 
were chosen assessors. 



138 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The Indians were very troublesome at this time, notwithstand- 
ing Sir William Phipps, the governor, had tried every means to 
bring them over to the English. Especially after his death, 
which took place at London (whither he had been summoned 
by the king to answer to the accusation of his enemies ) on Feb- 
ruary 1 8th, 1694 or 1695. These eastern Indians now made 
descents upon nearly all the towns, committing murders, carry- 
ing off the inhabitants into captivity not much better than death, 
and burning and destroying wherever they went. 

"Sept. 4. Mr. Joseph Pike of Newbury Deputy Sheriff of 
Essex travelling with one Long between Amesbury and Haver- 
hill in execution of the duties of his office fell into an ambus- 
cade of the enemy, and both he and his companion were mur- 
dered." This murder was said to have been committed on the 
ridge near Oilman Merrill's, a little west of the brook which 
crosses the road. 

All the towns in the vicinity of Portsmouth, N. H., suffered 
severely, as did most eastern towns. 

It may have been at this time that one Rowell, who was a 
mail carrier between Newbury and Portsmouth, was killed in 
Patten's hollow. The date of the murder is uncertain, as our 
only authority is tradition. 

The bounds of John Weed's ten-acre lot at the "Indian 
ground" was defined this year, as follows: "East by the town 
highway, on y e south Merrimack river, on y e West with y e land 
of Edmond Eliot, on y e North with y e lots of Samuel Foot, 
Walter Taylor and William Huntington." This lot is now owned 
by Thomas Page, where his barn sets, and here the famous 
Indian mortar was found worked out in a rock that would weigh 
a ton or more, and large enough for the use of the whole Indian 
village. 

1695. 

From the following vote it would seem that people felt but 
little interest in town meetings and that they were very thinly 
attended : — 

"Voted that all those that are towns men and freemen that 
have liberty to vote in y e town affires as y e law directs shall attend 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 39 

Town meetings upon legall warning given them at a reasonable 
time of y e day and for their non appearance shall pay as a fine 
two shillings a day to be disposed of for the youse of the 
towne." The fine was about the same as the pay for a day's 
work, so that nothing was gained by staying away. 

Persons were prohibited from cutting timber on the common 
at the pond plain, joining the road from the burying ground to 
Tappan Emery's, under penalty of two shillings per tree. 

Thomas Fowler and Thomas Stevens were chosen to take 
care of this common land, with the privilege of planting part of 
it, and were to set "apletrees" upon it for the town's use and 
were, also, allowed the fallen wood for their "payns." 

A town valuation was taken this year for the commissioners 
at Salem. 

Deborah, widow of John Weed, sen., died April 20th. 

1696. 

Mr. Wells was chosen "to be a school Master for y e Town 
of Amesbury for this year insuing" and "Left Sargent Left Bar- 
nard and Orlando Bagley" were to adjust the terms. 

The vote of 1687, allowing 20 shillings for killing a "woulf," 
was this year repealed. 

The Indians were again on the war-path, and Sergt. John 
Hoyt, son of John Hoyt, sen., and a Mr. Peters were killed 
by them while in Andover, on the road to Haverhill, August 
7th. He had held various offices in town : was constable, lot- 
layer, committee to return the bounds of land, etc. 

His experience as constable was not of a very pleasant nature 
owing to some arrears of taxes which he had collected but not 
paid over. In short, he was a defaulter on a small scale and, 
in consequence, found himself in Salem jail, from which he had 
no means of escape, unless the General Court thought proper 
to release him. Accordingly he sent the following petition to 
the General Court : — 

" To the Hon ble their Maj ties Great and Generall Court of the 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, now sitting 
in Boston by adjourn ment March 6th 1694-5. 

"The Petition of John Hoite, one of the late Constables of 
Amesbury now a prison r in Salem Goal, 



140 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"Humbly Sheweth, 

That yo r Petition 1, is now in Prison und r an Execution for the 
Nonsatisfaction of the arrears of the rates comitted to him to 
collect whitest he was Constable of Amesbury. That your Peti- 
tion 1 ' has Lately mett with great losses, haveing had his house 
plundered by the Indians, and has been visited with much sick- 
ness through the holy afflicting hand of god upon him, besides 
sundry of the persons from whome many of s d arreares be due 
are both dead & removed out of y e Towne. Now Forasmuch 
as yo r poore petition 1 " by the providence of God is reduced to 
a necessitous condition, and wholly uncapacitated, by reason of 
his confinement, to doo any thing for himself & family or 
y e paym 1 of s d arreares for y e present, he therefore humbly 
entreats the favor of this high & hon ble Court to Consider the 
premisses, by being pleased to grant unto him two or three 
yeares space for paym 1 therof, as also for areleasm 1 from his 
confinem 1 . 

"And yo r petition 1 " as in duty bound shall Ever pray, etc, 

u Joh?i Hoite." 
"Voted upon Reading the Petition, above s d that s d Peti- 
tion r is granted his Request provided he give security to m r 
Treasurer to pay s d money within two years into the Treasury, 
March 8th 1694-5 past in the affirmative by the house of Rep- 
resentatives & sent up to the hon r able Lt Governor & Council 
for consent. Nehe??iiah Jewett, Speaker."* 

The probability is that he never paid the arrears, as he was 
killed within two years of his release, on returning from a visit 
to his daughter Dorothie, living in Andover. 

This year is, also, noted for the famous descent made upon 
Haverhill, in which thirty-nine persons were carried off or killed, 
and among the prisoners was Hannah Dustin, whose heroism 
has been handed down to us in history. Her memory will be 
perpetuated by the monument which has been erected near the 
spot where the massacre occurred. 

Feb. 2 2d. A road was laid out from thirty rods west of 
'•Cobler's Brook" to the river, at a place called "Jamaco 
* See D. W. Hoyt's work on the Hoyt genealogy. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 141 

house," and, at the brow of the hill, next the river, it was to 
be forty rods broad. There was a small brook running into the 
river in the middle of this road and landing. The exact ter- 
mination is not known, as it was never worked or fenced, in 
all probability. 

1697. 

The little church built some thirty-two years ago was now 
hardly large enough to accommodate all with convenient seats, 
and Mr. Wells, (whose family should have been well provided 
for, as a matter of courtesy) sent a petition to the town meet- 
ing for liberty to build a pew on the outside of the house, 
opening into the congregation. Such an addition might be con- 
venient, but could not improve the looks of the meeting-house 
much. 

•'To y e Inhabitants of y e town of Amisbury assembled this 
eighth day of March An Dom 1697. 

These request you to grant mee y e liberty to build a place 
fer y e use of my family on y e outside of y e meeting house 
betwixt y e south doore & south wast corner thereof & to make 
a convenient opening to y e congregation not damnifying y e meet- 
ing house nor any room or seat or place therein upon the forfeit- 
ure of treble damages & in so granting my request I relinquish all 
my interest that I have in an old grant of liberty to take in 
half of that seat w ch my wife now sits in for that end I remain 
your servant T/iomas Wells" 

It is now more than thirty years since the meeting house was 
built — small at first — and the increase of population, though not 
rapid, must have been enough to more than fill it, provided all 
attended regularly. His petition was granted on his own con- 
ditions. 

"Foot's Garison" is mentioned in the record of this year, and 
was at Jamaco, no doubt, on the plain. 

1698. 

William Barnes died March 14th, and was, no doubt, the last 
of the first eighteen who organized the town in 1655. He was 
one of the most prominent of the number, holding the office 
of selectman twelve years, was moderator at sixteen meetings, 



142 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

commissioner to end small cases five years, juror, constable, 
chosen to assist in correcting the clerk's book, one of the com- 
mittee to purchase a house for the minister, and served the 
town in many other ways. He is said to have come from Eng- 
land in 1635 m trie "Globe Jeremy Blackman Mr," at the age 
of twenty-two, with passengers for Virginia. This would make 
him eighty-five years old at the time of his death. His trade 
was that of a house-carpenter. His wife, Rachel, died February 
9th, 1686. 

Their children were Mary, bom , married John Hoyt, 2d, 

June 30th, 1659; William, born , died June nth, 1648; 

Hannah, born January 25th, 1643 or I 644, married John Prowse, 
died May 27th, 1688; Deborah, born x'Vpril 1, 1646, married 
Samuel Davis December 19th, 1663 ; Jonathan, born April 1st, 
1648, died young; Rachel, born April 30th, 1649, married 

Thomas Sargent March 2d, 1667 or 1668; Sarah, born , 

married first Thomas Rovvell September 8th, 1670, and then 

John Harve ; Rebecca, born , married Moses Morrill and 

had a son named William Barnes Morrill, the first instance of 
a middle name being given in the town. 

A handsome "burying cloth" was bought by subscription this 
year, costing $45.50. 

1699. 

Again we find the meeting house too small to accommodate 
the people, and the only remedy found practicable was to build 
galleries. i\.n appropriation of ^5 was made to meet the expen- 
ses. 

" At y e same meeting it was votted y l y* meeting house should 
be sufficiently repared and galiers built on y e fore side and at 
each end. 

"Att y e same meeting it was voted y' Robert Quenby, Sam" 
Currier, Sam 11 Jones, Jonathan Blasdell and William Hoyt jr 
shall have liberty to have so much room in y e north side of 
y e meeting house as Joseph Lanckester sen an Orlando Bagley 
think convanant to build them a seat provided they do main- 
tain y e north window well glast." 

It is hardly probable that ^5 accomplished all the repairs 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 43 

contemplated at this time, although but little finish was put 
into the galleries until later times, as the room was needed. 

At times considerable trouble had been experienced in regard 
to the boundary line between Amesbury and Haverhill on 
account of the large meadows in the vicinity, which yielded a 
large amount of hay annually. Fresh meadows were valuable in 
the early days of the settlement and hence we find all such 
tracts taken up. At this time (May 29th) no line had been 
established and the patience of the people being exhausted, it 
was "Votted y l y e town would complaine and prosecute y e town 
of Haverhill for refusing to preambulate y e line between them 
& us with us." 

Tradition has handed down the story of a fight over the 
grass growing on these disputed meadows. Haverhill people 
were in the habit of cutting this grass, coming with a large 
gang of hands, who were instructed to drive off Amesbury men, 
which they effectually did for a while, but this year Amesbury 
was not to be foiled and resorted to the meadows with a strong 
gang ready to stand their ground. A fight with scythes and 
forks could hardly be a very pleasant affair, and yet it is said 
that such a battle ensued. The list of killed and wounded has 
not been handed down to us, and it may be sufficient to say 
that Amesbury maintained her rights in such a manner that 
there were no more infringements. 

At a general meeting, held March 20th, "it was voted to leave 
it to y e Selectmen to procure a School Master or school Dames 
that may supply the town." At a subsequent meeting, held 
May 29th, "it was voted y l y e town would alow six pounds a 
year towards y e maintaynance of a School Master." 

Jonathan Blasdell was granted a small piece of land near his 
shop, provided "he build a house upon it and folow his trade." 

1700. 

We have now seen during the last half century the begin- 
ning of a settlement west of the " Powawas River" in a wilder- 
ness which had lain desolate for an unknown period, inhabited 
only by savages and wild beasts. The unbroken forest had sent 
aloft its waving boughs to catch the early beams of the morning 



144 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

sun, which the unscared birds were wont to greet with their 
cheerful notes ; but there was no one to admire this grand old 
scenery or enchanting songs. Nature had very nearly had its 
way, and not a single trace of civilization was any where to be 
found. All was rough and wild, requiring patient labor to fit 
this territory for comfortable homes. 

The poineers were, however, men of strong frames and iron 
wills, well fitted to subdue the forest and lay the foundations 
of a town or state. And well did they perform their part. 
Although not highly educated, yet they were good, practicable 
business men and honest in their convictions of right and 
wrong. 

The little band ordered away from Salisbury organized into a 
community for the common good. Scarcely a decade passes 
ere a church is built and a minister obtained to teach them in 
spiritual things. Their number increases, sons and daughters 
are born, and general prosperity attends their efforts. In the 
midst of a savage and relentless foe they have experienced a 
remarkable preservation, for which their thanks went forth to 
that kind Providence, of whose signal favors they were fully 
sensible. 

Most of the land had been divided into lots and freely given 
to the pennanent settlers. Nor had new comers been excluded, 
but received "townships" and were at once granted all the 
rights enjoyed by the original eighteen. All contributed to the 
common expense of the plantation, which was very light at first. 

There was great change in this half century, greater than thous- 
ands of years had witnessed up to the present. The civil authority, 
church and school were as yet but faintly marked out, although 
shadowed forth in an encouraging light. Science, in the form 
of machinery, had been called in and agriculture had drawn 
from the earth food for man and beast. Wheat, corn, rye and 
barley yielded abundantly on the new and fertile soil. The 
colony is now permanently established and nothing but the hand 
of Providence can blot it from the earth. 

It was voted at the annual meeting to have a lecture once a 
month for seven months. The scattered population could hardly 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



145 



gather in social meetings, and the regular service on Sundays 
was about all that was held. No doubt this proposition met 
with a hearty response from the faithful minister. 

This year is especially noted for the controversy with that 
spicy old gentleman, "Maj r Robert Pike" of Salisbury. From 
the laying out of the town at East Salisbury to the present, he 
has taken a very prominent part in affairs : preacher, major and 
associate for holding courts in Norfolk county, of which Salis- 
bury was a shire town, he had a wide field for displaying his 
peculiar talents. Honest he was, but not over winning and 
gentlemanly in his manners. 

In 1665 a committee was chosen to obtain him "to be help- 
ful to us in the work of the Ministry," but he wisely declined 
the invitation, choosing a course more in accordance with his 
tastes and inclinations. When, in 1659, he received a grant of 
sixty acres of land on condition that he "come and live in 
Amesbury," it is possible that he was expected to preach. The 
condition he never complied with, but subsequently bought 
several lots at the Indian ground. A tier of twenty-six lots was 
laid out at the river in 1659, beginning at the Buttonwood 
road and extending northerly from the river. Mr. Pike bought 
lots Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at different periods and, also, John Weed's 
ten-acre lot on the corner where Mr. Page's barn now stands, 
and, also, the six-acre lot on the opposite corner where Mr. 
Page's house is located, originally granted to William Sargent, 
and a lot of an Indian woman named Jane, lying north of the 
corner one and extending up the hill, so that he owned land 
on both sides of the road. At this time and, perhaps, for some 
years his great age prevented him from often visiting his land 
here, and he was obliged to trust to the reports of others, how- 
ever incorrect they might be. He had just learned that the 
town had laid out a road forty rods wide through his Indian 
ground without notifying him or making him any recompense. 
Although the report was without the least foundation, it drew 
from him a very spicy letter, (to use no harsher term) which 
may be worth perusing, and is inserted entire. The town voted 
that it should be kept in the town book, no doubt deeming it 
a great curiosity : — 19 



146 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ROBERT PIKE'S LETTER. 

" To the inhabitants or freeholders of New Salsbury caled 
Amsbury march the nth i6gg 700. 

Gentlemen: I presume you do not forget that about this 
time twelve month at your then asembly I presented you with 
my sence of the abuse don unto me in the Laying my Land 
at the Indian ground coman. 

first a highway of forty rode wide and bounding the same 
Est upon coman and the same recorded in your town book all 
without any knowlig of mine thereby recording falsly my Land 
to be yours a thing of the like was hardly ever heard of among 
sober men. 

I then civily aplyed my self to you for resolve of these too 
questions. 

first why you delt so with me, 2 J y what you farther intended 
to do about it to w ch neither the towne nor on of you in the 
towne was so civil as to returne me on word of answer. I 
could not have expected Less if I had aplyed my self to a 
company of S or any kind of bruit creaturs (w ch I took the 
more a miss) because I know that ther ar many good men a 
mong you and persons by me of much esteem yea and sev- 
erall of them had in my hearing despysd the basenes of the 
thing, yea so late that capt Harvy himself declaimed aganst 
it as abomnable and yet not . on word to me about it then 
( nor never sine ) upon w ch I thought it not uncharatabl to 
surmise that you wear either al alik in the case w'ever you 
sayd or that the acters in the same ar so farr the prevayling 
part as to keep the rest so under as that they dare not do nor 
speak but Lett your unc Reply be as it will to me. 

I shall not be wanting to you w th regard to both years and 
cases minding the rule (if it be posibl ) Rom 12, 14. 18 and 
shall begin again where I did last yeare namely 

why did you deale so with 
me and w l do you intend 
further about it. 

And in the mean while wayting your answer would p r pose 
several things to your consideration. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 147 

i That ther never was any high way no farther than the 
head of Indian ground Lotts. 

2 That William Barnses Indian Lott and Jno Weeds ten 
achers Joine each on other. 

3 That no towne have power to sett men to Lay out high 
ways but the Select men must appoint for privat towne ways 
and the court for the country. 

4 neither of them can do it without complying with the 
p r prieters of y e Land for thayer Satisfaction for thayr damag as 
the Law direcks. 

5 but your commity never Let me know it nor did I know 
of it in almost too years after it was don they took no more 
notis of me in it then the thieves do and have don in stealing 
our wood and timber that is to take a time to do it when we 
ar where we cannot see them. 

6 I do hear that thay do pretend that the records of the 
Indian Land was burnt w n Left Barnerds house was burnt 
( w ch if true ) ( query ) is it not the duty of all there to labor 
speedily to have the records renewed while tis in memory that 
so men men may have thayr Lands repayred as well as the 
house is repayred — the rule is render to every man his right if 
the neibors ox or ass go astray may he that find them sell 
them or put them into the pawdering tub because he can do it 
& no body know it ( I trow not ) but he must bring them home 
to his barn, and ar thay not bound to do the like by deed or 
records of Land I believe you would think so if ever it shoold 
com to be your case with your records (w ch God for bid.) 

7 I woold gladly know upon w l acompt any of you do call 
the 60 akers coman land it was mine and I Legaly posest of 
it as you all know and I never resigned it to you nor do 1 
think that your stealing my wood and timber do make it yours 
any more than your stealing it of my other Land do make 
them yours of w ch you may understand my friends you are not 
ignorant of the wrong don to me and my children in stealing 
our wood and timber thay now you ar not able to repayr and 
do you think the taking away our Land also will make us 
amends your predecesers woold have abhored it and if you 



148 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

should say that ther is now another generation risen up that do 
not know the Lord (w ch God forbid) yet it is much to think 
thay so far regenerated as not to know the 9th and 10th com- 
andment all w ch gentlemen I hope will be favorably considered 
by you and if it be not to great a condescendansy in you give 
me som answer more or Less Let it be w £ it will it shall be 
grateful to me who am gentleman your friend and neibour, 

Robe7't Pike. 
on thing more I would treat 
you of is to Let me know 
whether any of my Land be 
recorded to your's besides 
the Indian Land." 

" Mr. Thomas Currier pray present this to the town and 
return me thayr answer w ch will oblig your Loving friend, 

Ro Piker 

Mr. Currier, then clerk, presented the letter at the annual 
meeting, March nth, and the town took special notice of it by 
voting "whereas Mag r Pike sent y e town a letter bearing date 
March n, 1699 or 1700 in which letter he is pleased to call 
us S or brutes it was voted that if y e s d Mag r Pike make it 
appeare that y^ "town have done him any damage they are will- 
ing to make him satisfaction." 

Major Pike was, at this time, very aged, which may to some 
extent account for this unmannerly letter, but it must be remem- 
bered that he was a free thinker and bold to express his mind 
at all times and on all occasions. In religious matters he was 
more tolerant and consistent than the great majority of our 
ancestors. 

In 1653 the General Court forbade all persons preaching 
unless licensed by four churches in the vicinity, which order 
was designed to stop the spread of heresy. This law Major 
Pike did not hesitate to denounce publicly, as the following 
shows : — 

" Left Rob Pike demanded if that lawe which was made- to 
restraine onfitt p r sons from constant preaching, &c whither that 
law was in force after the next Generall Court, to which ans r 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 49 

being made that the Court had declared their minde therein, 
on which he replied that such persons as did ast in making 
that law did breake theire oath to the country, or acted con- 
trary expressing the ffreemans oath : for, said he, it is against 
the libertie of the countrey, both ecleasiasticall and civill, and 
that he stood there ready to make it good ; and farther said 
divers or severall churches had called theire members to accompt 
which did act in that lawe making, and that some places were 
about to show theire minds to the Generall Court about it." 

For these heretical views and slanders of the General Court, 
he was arrested, tried and sentenced to be disfranchised and 
made incapable of holding any "public office in toune or com- 
monwealth, and from pleading any case except his oune in any 
Court; and further, that he be bound to the good behaviour 
during the Courts pleasure, and be fined the some of twenty 
marks to the country." His stand for freedom of religious 
opinions was sustained by numerous freemen in the neighboring 
towns and his sentence was strongly condemned. 

A" petition was circulated in Salisbury, Newbury, Haverhill, 
Andover and Hampton, and numerously signed for " revoaking 
his sentence" and presented, which so exasperated the General 
Court that a commission was appointed with power to call the 
petitioners together and demand their reasons "for their unjust 
request" and report to the next General Court. The commit- 
tee reported and sixteen of the principal petitioners were bound 
over for trial, viz. : eight from Newbury, six from Salisbury and 
two from Hampton. Among those from Salisbury were George 
Martin and Philip Challis. 

In 1657 Major Pike, by the intercession of Rev. Mr. Wor- 
cester and his own humble petition, was released from all but 
the fine, which he said he had paid^ and thus ended and 
failed the bold stand he had taken. 

1701. 

Sarah, wife of Orlando Bagley, sen., died this year, and hers 
is the only death recorded. 

The earliest record of the Society of Friends commences this 
year although there was a small number in town from a very 



150 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

early date. The Hampton monthly meeting decided to build a 
meeting-house 26 feet square and "14 foot stud." The cost 
was mostly paid by subscription, one man paying £30. Previ- 
ous to the completion of this house, meetings were held at pri- 
vate houses. The sum of ^66 4 s. was raised, and probably 
covered a large portion of the expense of building. In this 
little house all of the order from Hampton, Salisbury and 
Amesbury, gathered for some four years to worship after their 
peculiar manner. They were, however, badly treated, as the 
following extract from the record shows : — 

"Isaac Morrill, Jun r and his brother, and John Tompson, 
came to the house of Jeremiah Dow of Salisbury the 13 day of 
the 11 th month 1701 the sayd Jeremiah Dow being from home, 
his wife in Kindness to them, they being Neighbors, fetched or 
caused to be fetched a Pott of Cyder for them to Drink which 
when they had drunk up the Cyder, the said Issaac Mor- 
rill (having bin constable the year before) carryed away the 
quart pott that the Cyder was in, and a pair of fire-tongs, a 
tray and a cake of tallo, to satisfy the Hireling Minister Caleb 
Cushen for preaching." 

And the same day they took a gun from Richard Smith, & 
from Jacob Morrill a cow " to pay y e priest for preaching in 
Salisbury."* 

Small vessels were freely built in town, although but a poor 
record has been kept. This year a round stern vessel of about 
thirty tons, named " Katch Peter," was registered, which is 
said to have been built in 1699. 

1702. 

A stringent law was passed this year, making it obligatory 
upon towns to maintain schools and employ qualified teachers 
other than ministers, under penalty of ^20. Hitherto it had 
been customary to employ the minister to teach the children, 
thus adding a trifle to his scanty salary. To comply with the 
law, the town established a free school and authorized the se- 
lectmen to hire a master. 

Thus by vote of the town the free school system was inaugu- 

* Friends' Record. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 151 

rated, and has continued to prosper, increasing with the growth 
of the town, till from the small expenditure of £6 it has gradu- 
ally increased, reaching in 1874 the large sum of $11,000. 
From a school kept in private houses, with a few simple benches, 
has grown the modern school of many branches, kept in nicely 
furnished public houses. 

Three years ago the town decided to repair the meeting- 
house, build galleries, etc. It is probable that most of the re- 
pairs were completed. The galleries, however, were not wholly 
finished, if we may judge from the following vote : — 

" At y e same meeting it was granted to Mary Currier, Mary 
Stevens, Hannah Sargent, Mary Frame, Rachel Sargent, Sarah 
Bagley, Hannah Stevens, that they should have the two hinder 
most seats of y e short seats of y e womens Gallery in our meet- 
ing house towards y e south-east corner of it in to a pew and 01 
improving it for their own use." 

These seven young ladies were unmarried at this time, and 
in their selection of a place to build a pew, showed a very 
commendable modesty. Whether their wise course was the 
means of procuring husbands or not, certain it is that this fine 
looking pewfull soon began to disappear till the pew was finally 
empty. Before the year closed, Mary Frame married John 
Colby, and Mary Stevens married Thomas Sargent. Sarah Bag- 
ley married Henry Lanckester in 1 703, Hannah Sargent mar- 
ried William Somes, and Rachel Sargent married William Cur- 
rier in 1704. . Mary Currier married Robert Hoyt in 1707, 
and Hannah Stevens married Nathaniel Merrill in 1709. Thus 
disappeared this maidenly group from the "south east corner" 
of the little meeting-house. 

The name of "ffreame" as it was sometimes written, appears 
in a few instances on the early records, but soon disappears. 
Susanna Frame married Caleb Norton of Salisbury, and it is 
probable that, with the exception of John Colby's wife, the 
family removed to that town. 

Thomas Currier was allowed "tenn shilling for writin for y e 
town," this year. 

This year the constable of Amesbury took from "Ezekiel 
Wathin" two calves valued at 30 s. to pay for preaching. 



l S 2 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



1703. 

A new move seems to have been made this year by the 
commoners, looking to a separate organization. February 25th 
a meeting was held and Thomas Currier, senior, was chosen 
clerk. The meeting then proceeded to vote "that all that are 
entered townsmen & commoners in y e town book of records 
for Amesbury have liberty to vote as commoners for the dis- 
posell of all lands that are not yet granted." The meeting also 
proceeded to order the laying out of a tract of land next the 
six rod highway, and to impose a fine of three shillings per 
tree for all cut thereon. A committee was chosen to lay out 
the land, and also a committee to prosecute any " parson that 
that shall cut any wood or timber upon this land above said." 

April 2 7th a second meeting was held by the commoners, and 
the only business done seems to have been granting Francis 
Davis several lots of land* originally laid out to Walter Taylor. 
This was a confirmation of the first location of the Davis family in 
the East Parish, near the new buildings of the Merrimac Hat Com- 
pany, where the descendants of Francis Davis lived, till within about 
thirty years. There are many living who well remember "Uncle John 
Davis," as he was familiarly called, a carpenter and pump-maker, 
living snug by the road on the bank, nearly opposite the pres- 
ent elm on the river side. He was the last of the children of 
James and Tabitha Davis, whose homestead he occupied. Elijah, 
a brother, died in 1832, leaving children whose descendants 
now reside at the Ferry and elsewhere. His house stood a few 
feet west of the late Ira Miles', and the cellar is yet to be 
seen. 

A new officer was chosen this year called "Howard,"f and 
for many years the office was continued, although we have been 
unable to find what duties were performed. 

Elizabeth Colby was granted " the liberty of making pew in 
our meeting house and to have half of y e hindermost seate 
towards the south-east corner of the meeting house betwixt the 
greate post and the womens gallery stairs." 

* The town had already granted this land to him in 1693. 
t One chosen in 1643. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 53 

Richard Martin commenced a suit against the town and 
Ensign Bagley and Thomas Stevens were chosen to manage the 
matter on behalf of the town with power to employ counsel. 

Thomas Challis, one of the selectmen and assessors, "prom- 
ised to do in all maters relating to his offices faithfully except 
making the ministers rate," before Thomas Currier, town clerk. 
He was a Quaker and had no faith in a paid ministry. 

The tract of land which the commoners ordered laid out at 
their meeting, February 25 th, was' on the east side of the But- 
tonwood road and embraced eighty-seven and a half acres where 
Moses Merrill now lives, and along down towards the river. It 
was laid out in five ranges, embracing thirty-five lots, which 
were given to the original commoners. The Indian ground 
bounded this tract next the river and is described as "being in 
estimation about thirty acres." This was very properly called 
"Indian ground," as many relics have been found, assuring us 
of their residence here. 

The old road, commonly known as "Hunt lane," was defined 
this year commencing at the "country road that leads to the 
Ferry and running two rods wide by the head of Bayly's lot, 
and to a heap of stones on a knowl near Weed's meadow and 
so along between Ring's lot and y e River lots to that highway 
that leads to Wolf peet and so along at y e head of y e River 
lots to that highway that comes down by John Colby's." 

John Colby, probably, lived nearly opposite the late Lewis 
Blaisdell's. 

The famous "Woolpit" hill, as it is sometimes called, seems 
to have been known by nearly the same name at this early 
date. 

This year a small vessel of about forty tons was built, called 
"Friends Adventure." 

"Taken from Jeremiah Dow of Salisbury one cow valued fifty 
shils without showing any warrant dun by y e Clark of y e train 
band which Clark said was for not apeering to traine & being 
wanting thare seven days." And there was also taken from 
Henry Dow a cow, from John Collins a mare and colt, and from 
Ezekiel Wathen, of Amesbury, two thousand and one hundred 

20 



J 54 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

shingles to pay the "prestes rate." These were all Friends and 
could not conscientiously support a hired ministry. 

1704. 

Jonathan Blasdell was chosen school-master this year. 

Samuel Weed was chosen sealer of leather. The tanning 
business was carried on to a considerable extent at this time. 
The remains of tan pits are yet to be seen back of Pleasant 
valley, in a pasture now owned by Peter F. Swett, at this time 
( 1 704 ) the homestead of Richard Martin, and at the Pond 
hills, near the church yard. Most of the leather needed was 
tanned and curried at home and made into the various articles 
wanted, by patient labor. 

The selectmen were ordered to make "the two halfe years 
rats that was due to Mr. Tho Wells for his labour amongst us 
in the worke of the Ministrey for the last year past." 

"At the same meeting it was voted to allow Samuel Colby 
sen twenty shillings for ringing the Bell and sweeping the meet- 
house for the last year past." 

"Benony Tucker, Thomas Nickols and Thomas Challis enters 
there contrary desent to those two acts above written." 

They were Quakers and had no desire to be taxed for keep- 
ing the house clean, where preaching was not to their liking. 

The above is the first intimation to be found of a bell on 
the little church. It may have been placed in position when 
the repairs were made in 1699, but no charge for ringing is 
found previous to this time. Doubtless Mr. Challis thought it 
a needless appendage to a meeting house. 

The Indians were very troublesome and a general alarm was 
given, causing the people to flee to the garrison houses for 
safety. Among those who hastily snatched their guns and 
sought safety in the garrisons was John Collins, of Salisbury, a 
Quaker. He was afterward sorry that he showed such want of 
faith in his professed creed, and made confession as follows : — 

"I do acknowlidg that When as I take up arms & Run to 
garrison ffor safte from the Indians since I was convinced of 
Gods blessed truth. It brought grate trouble upon me and 
(rods Rightous Gugments I felt upon mee which brought mee 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 55 

to a deepe consideration of the Eviel of my so Dooing but as 
I was made wiling to come out of those things againe I find 
God is wiling to forgive mee thearefore I desire my breatheren 
to forgive me & Reseave mee Into unity with them 

John Collins." 

We find no record of murders in town this year or of per- 
sons being carried into captivity. 

A square-stern vessel of about forty tons was built this year. 
She was owned in Boston and named the "Success." 

1705. 

At the annual meeting it was "voted to throw up the road 
through Thomas Nickols' land on condition that he give the 
town a landing place six rods long on the river and four rods 
wide up the bank." The above was a road across a portion of 
the plain near Tappan Emery's to the river, probably not far 
from the present one which terminates near the late Moses 
Currier's, at the steep bank. 

Again the town was troubled with war and Indian depreda- 
tions to such an extent that it became necessary to lay the 
matter before the people at an adjourned meeting, when "it 
was voted upon consideration that the town is under such difi- 
culty this time of war that y e whole town cant have the bene- 
fit of any settled place for schools without exposing our child- 
ren to great danger in travelling our rodes these things consid- 
ered we see case to impower the Selectmen to take y e best 
care y' they can to apoint such places as they shall think may 
be best for y e town and to employ such parsons as they shall 
think may be for the best." 

"At this same meeting the town seriously considering the difi- 
culties that the people at Jamaco are under these troublesome 
times that there old people and children cant but sildome come 
to meeting these things considered at the present meeeting it 
was voted that the Minister preach every third Sabeth day at 
Jamaco at such place or places as shall be provided for that 
sarvis and this to continue for one yeare." 

At this time the roads were not much better than paths spot- 
ted through the woods, few if any carriages being in use, except 



[56 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ox-carts. The Indians were, also, on the war path, watching 
every opportunity to glut their savage vengeance. The way from 
Jamaco was long and in places dangerous to the little church 
at the burying ground, and very truly old people could not ride 
on horseback so far with safety, and it was a wise measure to 
appoint meetings nearer home. Scholars were, also, in great 
danger when going through the woods, as they were obliged to 
do, and changing to accommodate different localities was a wise 
precaution. Our fathers could hardly sit under their own vine 
with none to molest or make them afraid. 

At the representative meeting in May the town gave the 
selectmen leave to lay out a highway to "James Creek" if they 
thought advisable. This was, probably, from the six rod road 
near Thomas Page's to Pressey's creek, or on the west side 
from the steep bank to this ( then James' ) creek. 

Mary, wife of Thomas Currier, sen., (town clerk) died this 
year and also Robert Ring, who was, probably, a son of the 
first Robert, of Salisbury. 

From an early period there had been a few Friends in Ames- 
bury and Salisbury, and in 1699 a minister from England held 
a meeting at the house of Samuel Weed, there being no meet- 
ing house nearer than the one built at Hampton in 1701. This 
year the Friends in this vicinity made a move towards building 
a house to worship in and the Hampton monthly meeting chose 
a committee of two to look out a location suitable for the pur- 
pose. This committee subsequently reported that a piece of 
land could be had, and the whole matter was left in their hands 
to carry out the minds of Friends at "Salisbury, Amesbury and 
Gemaco." Thomas Barnard gave the lot and it was, according 
to tradition, situated on Friend street, near No. 8 mill. Thomas 
Challis, who opposed the minister's rate last year and, also, 
paying Samuel Colby for ringing the bell, was one of this com- 
mittee. Thus the Friends were gradually gaining in numbers 
and becoming of importance in town. 

The first marriage recorded among this order took place this 
year at the house of Thomas Barnard, where a meeting was 
held for the occasion. The parties were John Peaslee, grand- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 157 

son of Joseph Peaslee, who gave the General Court much 
trouble many years ago by his persistency in preaching, and 
Mary Martin, granddaughter of George Martin. This marriage 
was signed by forty-seven witnesses. 

1706. 

For the first time the selectmen are ordered to make a rate 
to pay the school-master, and this places the educational inter- 
ests on a firm basis. 

Nothing is said or done in regard to Indian troubles, which 
were so threatening last year, and it is presumed that the fright 
had passed away. 

The town voted that "y e town is willing that Mr. Wells 
should goe to Jamaco on third of y e Sabath days this year as 
he did the last yeare." 

Thomas Sargent, sen., son of William Sargent, died this year, 
aged sixty-two years. He was born at Salisbury on the Mud- 
noc road, so called, June nth, 1643, and was an active, capa- 
ble man. He served as selectman five years and held many 
other important offices. It is probable that he lived near Bear 
hill. 

The saddest event of the year was the death of the Weed 
family. Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Weed, and her three child- 
ren : John, Daniel and Sarah, died in one day, the 4th ot 
July. Their death resulted from an epidemic commonly denom- 
inated "Throat distemper," which appears to have been very 
fatal at this time. It was a fearful sight : in that house of 
mourning lay four of the family, the mother beside her darlings, 
the oldest of whom was less than three years, all clad in the 
habiliments of the grave, and all borne away to return no more 
to that hitherto happy home. 

The father returned with a heavy heart ; they were his all ; 
he had no more of whom death could rob him. All was gone 
in a day. The impression on the public mind was such as to 
cause this terrible affliction to be handed down from generation 
to generation, until the present time. The record, also, con- 
firms its truth. Mr. Weed lived near the late Ephraim Merrill's 



158 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

and the land on the south side of the road from the brook to 
the old Hunt's lane was his homestead. 

In 1 7 1 1 Mr. Weed married Sarah Sawyer and named three 
of his children born subsequently, for the lost ones. 

The Friends turned out John Ring, John Green, Samuel Nor- 
ton and Samuel Cass for "baring arms" and other bad con- 
duct. John Cazer, of Haverhill, was specially admonished by 
the monthly meeting to pay his debts. 

1707. 

Thomas Colby, jun., was chosen to ring the bell and sweep 
the meeting house, with a salary of 24 s. 

The town voted that the selectmen should forthwith build a 
sufficient pound near Edward Hunt's (now George W. Bartlett's.) 

"Att y e same meeting it was voted that y e Selectmen should 
hire four or five school Dames for y e town to teach children to 
read." 

" Att y e same meeting it was voted that the town would alow 
five pounds to two men that y e Selectmen should hire to keep 
a school to teach young parsons to write and sifer two months 
this year insuing." The work of educating the young is gradu- 
ally advancing and becoming of more importance. It is but a 
few years since the master was to teach all who knew their 
a b c ; but now we find them advanced a step. Females are 
to teach the children to read and males are to teach writing 
and arithmetic. The number of schools, also, have increased, 
giving greater facilities to all. 

Richard Currier, being chosen constable, gave the town ^5 
to release him, and Ephraim Weed was chosen in his stead ; 
but, at a subsequent meeting, he was released and John Kim- 
ball, sen., chosen to fill the vacancy. Samuel Colby, sen., also, 
resigned the office of tithing man. Offices were little sought at 
this time. 

Nov. 1 8th. John Pressey died. He testified against Susanna 
Martin in 1692. 

John Collins, who offended the Friends in 1704 by -defend- 
ing himself against the Indians, is again at fault, " having par- 
sistid In preaching contrary to the Manefestation of y e spirite 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 59 

of God in us wee desire him as fformerly to take care of his 
waves all so to his doctrin & bee silant till friends have unity 
tharewith." But, although several times subsequently warned, he, 
like Joseph Peaslee, persisted in preaching till, at the monthly 
meeting, held December 18th, it was voted "that hee y e s d Col- 
ins Is denyed by us." 

1708. 

The town ordered a road laid out from the six-rod highway 
near John Chains' house to the pond plain road. This was the 
road from Daniel F. Morrill's to Tappan Emery's. 

Benjamin Eastman petitioned the town for leave to build a 
fulling mill just below the mill bridge on the Powow river, and, 
also, to take the water under ground across the road to drive 
the mill. The petition was readily granted. This was, probably, 
the first fulling mill in town. 

Col. John March received a grant of several pieces of com- 
mon land on the original right of George Carr's, whose son-in- 
law he was. This grant was made by a meeting of the com- 
moners held September 7th. 

Oct. 1 8th. A town meeting was held and the only business 
transacted was to order the selectmen to prosecute at the 
town's charge the five late constables, viz. : Ebenezer Blazdell, 
William Fowler, Robert Quinby, Israel Dymond and John Kim- 
ball, sen., for not making up their accounts according to law. 
It would seem, however, that they had committed no very great 
crime, as William Fowler was elected Representative the next 
vear. 

1709. 

The pound ordered in 1707 had not been built at Edward 
Hunt's, and it was now decided to build it at the " pond plain," 
William Pressey offering a piece of land "four rods square" for 
ten years free of charge. It was, probably, built near the bury- 
ing ground. 

The town voted to fence in the burying ground with boards 
at the town's cost. This is the first intimation of a fence around 
the burying ground on record. 

It was, also, voted to hire two women to keep school and 



160 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"Widow Stevens and Goodwife Pregett" were designated, at 
salaries of £8 each. A master was, also, to be employed " to 
teach to wright and sipher and not to exceed eight pounds and 
one quarter part of it to be money and y e other three quarters 
as money." 

April 29th. The commoners held another meeting and chose 
a committee to ascertain all encroachments on common lands 
and highways, and, also, what grants had been made and not 
yet laid out, and report at an adjourned meeting May 16th. 
At the adjourned meeting the committee reported that "accord- 
ing to there best judgment John Colby have made incroach- 
ment upon y e coman land" — hardly worth two meetings. 

The commoners, also, gave Thomas Weed and William Cur- 
rier leave to fence in the six-rod highway ( Buttonwood road) 
by making sufficient bars. 

The town had considerable trouble with John Whitcher, of 
Haverhill, about a highway which the court of sessions had 
ordered through his land at Jamaco. It was proposed to refer 
the matter to three men, but finally it was left with a commit- 
tee to agree upon some plan and make return to court. 

The Friends' Hampton monthly meeting ordered a weekly 
meeting on the first and second fourth days in every month till 
altered. 

1710. 

Some difficulty occurred this year between Col. John March 
and the town. He charged the town with "taking away all 
most all Wosters lot and a considerable part of Challis his lot 
that was granted to him in the year 1640 for satisfaction for a 
highway," but the town denied the charge. The commoners 
took up the dispute. A meeting was called on the 2 2d of 
March to transact the ordinary town business till twelve o'clock, 
and then to be a commoners' meeting. Thomas Currier was 
chosen their clerk and it was " voted to stand suit with Col. 
John March," and Left. John Foot and John Blasdell were 
chosen as "Aturnes" to answer him in his action com- 
menced against the commoners. 

Another action was commenced against the commoners by 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. l6l 

Joshua Bayley, of Newbury, and Left. John Foot was again 
made "Aturne" to manage the case at Newbury court. 

The commoners had or supposed they had rights which 
should not be acted upon by all of the voters in town, and 
these separate meetings seem to have been 'held for the pur- 
pose of avoiding this outside influence, and the fact that they 
actually finished the division of the common land in 1703 by 
separate meetings, confirms the above view of the matter. The 
first eighteen owned and disposed of the common lands as they 
deemed proper, and, also, granted townships or common rights 
to whom they pleased. They fixed the number of commoners 
at twenty-six, unless by the "consent of every freeman" the 
number should be increased. It was soon increased to that 
number and most of the divisions of land were made accord- 
ingly. 

Col. John March, John Barnard, Joseph Brown and Jarvis 
Ring petitioned the town for leave to build iron works on the 
Powow river without being liable to taxation, and their petition 
was cheerfully granted. A similiar petition was presented at the 
Salisbury annual meeting and readily granted. The works were 
built and in operation several years. Tradition states that iron 
ore was taken from the bed of the pond and refined for use at 
these works, which were situated on the Amesbury side of the 
Powow river. 

Capt. Harvey, also, petitioned for liberty to build a vessel or 
vessels at "Jamaco," and was allowed to do so. Left. Foot 
and Thomas Challis were appointed to lay out a ship-yard for 
him. With a fulling mill, iron works and several ship-yards 
along the river, it was, no doubt, a busy, prosperous town. 

An appropriation of ,£30 was made for school purposes, and 
the school was to be kept one-half of the time at the meeting 
house and the other half near Roger Stevens' house. 

All of the inhabitants were ordered to brand their cattle with 
the town brand. 

May 9th. John Kimball, sen., was chosen representative, 
and on the 16th Thomas Fowler was chosen. It is very prob- 
able that Mr. Kimball died at this time, as he entirely disap- 



162 history of amesbury. 

pears from the records hereafter. He was a prominent man in 
town, serving as representative three years and was elected a 
fourth time, and, also, held many other offices. 

He lived near the pond's mouth and owned seven lots in 
that division (which was called the ox pasture) in 1699, embrac- 
ing all between the pond and pond road, and two lots north of 
the road. Tradition locates his house south of the road, very 
near the pond's mouth, and there are indications of a former 
residence there. He was, probably, an extensive farmer and 
very active in town affairs, but a firm believer in witchcraft, 
giving foolish testimony against Susanna Martin at her trial. It 
should be remembered, however, that he lived in an age of 
superstition, when clear-headed, sensible persons were much 
bewildered on this subject. 

Aug. 10th. Ebenezer Blasdell died. He was a son of Henry 
Blasdell, one of the original settlers, and grandson of Jaret Had- 
don, who gave him a legacy in his will. He was born the 1 7th 
8th mo. 1657. He served as selectman in 1698 and held many 
other offices. It is probable that he lived at Bear hill. 

April 12 th. Francis Davis died. He was successor to Walter 
Taylor in certain lands granted by the town, and was by trade 
a block-maker. 

This year the Friends' monthly meeting received five books 
sent- from England. May 18th the monthly meeting was held 
at Amesbury, and from that time for more than sixty years it 
was "held alternately at Amesbury and Hampton. 

1711. 

At the annual meeting it was " voted that Mr Wells should 
go to Jamaco on third part of y e Sabath days and of Humala- 
tion and Thanksgiving." 

"At a general meeting it was voted that y e Selectmen should 
hire a school Master for y e town for this year insuing." 

"At y e same meeting it was voted that y e School should be 
kept y e first four months at y e town Meeting House y e next four 
months at y e Pond Hills fort and y e last four months at Left 
Foots fort or there abouts." 

The Pond hills' fort may have been the house now owned 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 63 

and occupied by Jacob Huntington, which was originally lined 
with brick around the first story, and, no doubt, designed as a 
garrison house for the neighborhood. Left. Foot's fort was, no 
doubt, in the vicinity of the burying ground at West Amesbury. 
The six-rod highway was narrowed by allowing Thomas Chal- 
lis and Thomas Weed to fence in two rods in width, in consid- 
eration of highways laid through their lands elsewhere. 

1712. 

Capt. John Wadey, of Salisbury, had leave granted to build a 
dam at the pond's mouth not to exceed three feet in height 
"to preserve water in a dry time for grinding." 

This was the first attempt to turn the water of Kimball's 
pond to account. For untold ages this water had run to waste, 
passing through the pond meadow and across the highway near 
Thomas Colby's, into the stream that carries Tuxbury's mills. 

In great drouths the water in the Powow river ran low, so 
that grinding was necessarily suspended ■ but with this extra 
three feet on the surface of the pond, there would, probably, 
be no more scarcity. 

Left. Foot had leave to "fence across y e highway leading by 
his house next y e country road and so against Thomas Colby's 
not to hinder any passing." This road was, probably, the one 
now known as Church street, in Merrimac. 

Sept. 27th. Deacon Thomas Currier died, having served the 
town in almost every capacity. He was chosen town clerk 
in 1674 instead of his father, Richard Currier, and served till 
his death, a period of thirty-eight years lacking a few months. 
He served as selectman seventeen years and in many other 
offices, and was a fair penman. His business was not confined 
to town affairs, but he was employed in settling estates and 
various other matters. He was a witness to the will of Edmund 
Elliott, which his father wrote in 1675, an ^ occasionally recorded 
meetings when his father was clerk. This would go to show that 
they lived in the same house at that time, and it is very probable 
that Thomas owned the homestead before his father's death. It has 
been said that Richard deeded away his property and died 
poor. Thomas was born at Salisbury March 7th, 1646, and 



164 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

was sixty-six years of age when he died. It is probable that 
he lived near the mills and, perhaps, in the vicinity of the 
Lion's Mouth. He married Mary Osgood, daughter of William 
Osgood of Salisbury, and by her inherited one-quarter of the 
old saw mill which he gave to his son Ebenezer. He had nine 
sons and three daughters. 

On the 13th of October Orlando Bagley, jun., was chosen 
town clerk and entered upon his long term of office. He was, 
also, chosen to keep a private school to " teach to wright and 
sipher such as shall come to him they paying as he and they 
shall agree." 

1713. 

The selectmen were ordered to hire " a school master or 
masters or school dames for y e benefit of y e town for this year 
ensuing." 

Wolves were again becoming troublesome and a bounty of 
20 s. was voted out of the town's stock for each "woulf's head." 

The selectmen notified the selectmen of Kingston to meet 
them on the 30th of March " at y e ponds mouth, called y e 
country pond," to perambulate the line between the towns. At 
this time the territory of Amesbury extended to the island in 
Country pond, embracing nearly all of the territory now known 
as Newton, N. H. 

1714. 

A town meeting was held January 7th for taking some meas- 
ures to repair the old meeting-house, but those present hardly 
felt like deciding upon what should be done, and so adjourned 
half an hour, to meet at Samuel Colby's. He was innholder, 
and when met the meeting felt better spirits and proceeded to 
business. Without opposition it was "voted that y e selectmen 
should repair y e ould meeting-house." 

With the same unanimity another vote was passed, as follows : 
"Voted y l y e town did chuse a coram" of six men to consider 
and conclude concerning y e building of a meeting house, and 
they to bring in there result at y e next March meeting for y e 
town's approbation, and also y e place where y e house shall be 
built." There is no report on record from this committee, but 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 65 

from subsequent action it is presumed that they recommended 
building two houses. 

The annual meeting was held March 8th, and adjourned to 
the ioth, to meet at the house of Thomas Hoyt, at the Pond 
hills. At the adjourned meeting "it was voted that the town 
would build two meeting houses in said town." 

John Challis opposed this measure, and to relieve the 
Quakers the meeting voted " to free the Quakers in s d town 
from paying to the minister's rate all such as the heads of their 
society shall give in a list of." 

To give the matter further consideration, however, the meet- 
ing adjourned to x\pril 12th, nine o'clock, A. M., at the meet- 
ing house. After having had time for due consideration of the 
whole matter, the town voted at the adjourned meeting to 
"build there first meeting house at that part of the town called 
Jamaco." It was voted to build the house at the Pond plain 
on a piece of land given the town by Jarvis Ring. This lot 
was given for a burying ground and is now known as the Mid- 
dle Cemetery. The house was to be 40 feet long, 32 feet 
wide and 18 feet stud. No committee was chosen, and 
although several meetings were held subsequently, nothing fur- 
ther was done this year. 

Leave was given Samuel Colby to build an arch " on the 
highway near his house." It was a common thing to build 
arches in those early times, and they were invariably built 
on the side of some knoll or rising ground, so that the 
earth might cover the top sufficiently to keep out the 
frost. The location of this arch was on the north side of 
the road a few rods west of the store on Bartlett's corner, and 
the cavity where the rocks were taken out may yet be seen. 

Better school accommodations were ordered this year, the 
selectmen being authorized to hire two masters for each end 
of the town, and school dames for the whole town. 

Capt. Thomas Harvey was chosen representative in May and 
in October Left. John Foot was chosen for the remainder of 
the year. No record of his death is found, but it is very prob- 
able that he died during the summer, which occasioned the 



1 66 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

election of Left. Foot. He first appears on the record as one 
of a committee on highways in 1689 and was chosen deputy 
in 1690, 1694, 1697, 1699, 1706, 1708, 1713 and 1714, 
and was on the board of selectmen in 1701 and 1714. He 
held various other offices and was a ship carpenter, building 
vessels at Jamaco on land granted him in 17 10 by the town. 
The Harveys owned a large tract of land near the Universalist 
church at West Amesbury, where they probably lived, and also 
a mill on Cobbler's brook. He was largely employed in public 
business and was a faithful servant. 

The Friends' monthly meeting this year granted permission to 
Newbury Friends to hold meetings "every 3d first day y e week 
in every month," and also to Haverhill "every 4th first day of 
y e week in every month." 

1715. 

For many years an officer called " Clark of y e market " has 
been annually chosen, whose duty is defined m an act passed 
in 1696, as follows : 

"Sect. 2d. That the clerks of the market in each town 
within this Province, or any one of them, shall, and are 
hereby impowered and required once every week or oftener, 
as they shall see cause, to enter into any shop or place 
where bread is usually sold or baked for sale, and to 
weigh die same ; and all such bread which they shall find un- 
der the due assize according to the proportion before men- 
tioned, or not being marked, to make seizure of and deliver 
two-thirds parts thereof unto the selectmen or overseers of the 
poor in such town, for the use of the poor within the same, 
the officer to have the other third for his pains." The fact that 
such officer was annually chosen seems to indicate the neces- 
sity, and from the occasional references to some kind of bread 
shops, it may justly be inferred that there were bakeries in town 
in those days. Joseph Prechet was chosen this year. 

A town meeting was held January 7th and adjourned to the 
24th, when the following vote was passed: "Whereas there 
hath been a vote past for y e building of two meeting houses, 
and y e first to be built at y e pond plain, we upon considera- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 167 

tion do see cause to have but one at present and to build it 
at y e parcel of land called y 2 parsonage, neare Edward Hunt's." 
He lived on the corner where Geo. W. Bartlett now lives. The 
late Joseph Merrill, who hauled the present house from the 
pond, placed it over the old Hunt cellar. 

The meeting-house was built on the opposite corner of the Mar- 
tin road on a little knoll, a beautiful location. The old house 
was altogether too small to hold the present population, being 
only 25 by 30 feet. The vote to build two houses of worship 
would have been carried out, undoubtedly, had the town been 
able to do so. The people had increased at the west end, al- 
though no village had yet commenced. In 1726, which is but 
eleven years later, we find the names of 123 men taxed in the 
West parish for the support of preaching, and this would war- 
rant the conclusion that there were not less than four hundred 
inhabitants at that time. There were not quite so many in 
1 715, probably, yet there were more than were willing to travel 
the long distance to the little church at the burying ground. 
The most prominent men' at Jamaco were opposed to the re- 
peal of the vote ordering two houses, and Left. John Foot. 
Sergeant Joseph Davis and Thomas Fowler entered their "con- 
tra dicent " against it. The present location — one mile nearer 
the centre of the town — was designed to give better accommo- 
dations to the west end people and obviate the necessity of 
two houses. Nor was this location a very lonesome one, for 
within the range of a half mile there were more than half a 
score of houses. 

Dea. Joseph Brown, Thomas Hoyt and Thomas Sargent were 
chosen a committee to "carry on s d work of building said house 
at y e towns cost, and are to have said house finished at or on 
y e first of November in y e yeare 1716." Its dimensions were 
"forty-five fot in length and thirty-five fot in wedth and twenty 
fot stud." 

"Mr. Skipper Lunt" was the master builder. 

A meeting was held July 13th and ^150 raised to "carry 
on y e work of finishing our Meeting house and likewise to 
expend y e charge that we have already been out in building." 
So the work was begun at this date. 



1 68 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

" At y e same meeting voted that y e town would in general 
coust and charge to build a Meeting house at y e west part of 
y e town called Jamaco that is to say not to build said house 
within three years after y l time fixed for y e finishing our Meet- 
ing house which is already raised it is to be understood when 
y e Major part of y e town y l lyeth west of Nickols' creek shall 
see cause to build y e town to assist them as aforesaid." 

It is probable that this vote settled all matters in dispute, 
and the work went on with the house, which was "already 
raised." It .is said to have been very heavily timbered and was,- 
no doubt, a very substantial building, although perfectly plain, 
without porch or spire. On this gently-sloping knoll it stood 
for two generations or more. It would be an interesting sight 
if we could be allowed a glimpse of that sedate assembly as 
they wended their way from all sections of the town on each 
returning Sabbath to this new but unadorned house of worship. 
They came from the Ferry, the Powow river, the Lyon's Mouth, 
the Pond, the Pond hills, the Bear hill, Jamaco, Nickols' creek, 
the River and the many old roads and fields where they were then 
located, some on foot, but mostly on horseback, two or three 
to a horse. Clothed in home spun, the work of their own 
hands, a few yards woven in a day, and colored and dressed in 
their own fulling mill, neat and comfortable, they humbly gath- 
ered to worship the God of the Pilgrims, who had so gra- 
ciously protected and blessed them in this wilderness. And 
with each returning Sabbath the dignified and erect form of the 
venerable minister was seen on his way to church, riding on his 
"blackish mouse coulored horse." 

1716. 

Mr. Wells sent a communication to the annual meeting, desir- 
ing a piece of land for his use, and Capt. John Barnard and 
[onathan Blasdell were ordered to view the premises and report 
at the next meeting. The matter was not fully settled at the 
next meeting, but the selectmen were authorized to settle that 
and some dispute about Mr. Wells' fire-wood. 

In consequence of depredations by wolves, a bounty of 20 s. 
was again offered for " every Woulf killed by any parson belong- 
ing to said town." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 69 

Schools were yet anything but permanent institutions, being 
mostly kept in private houses, but the young clerk, who was 
fast rising to prominence, and himself a schoolmaster, very well 
knew the importance of making the schools local and perma- 
nent. To carry out his plan, he made the following communi- 
cation to the meeting : — 

"At this same meeting, Orlando Bagley, jun., doth give and 
giant to and for y e use of said town one-half qorter of an acre 
of land frunting on y e country road adjacent to a town highway 
on y e west for y e privilege of setting of a school house on so 
long as y e town see cause there to keep a school. 

as witness my hand Orlando Bagley, Jun" 

This lot was, no doubt, the one where the pound now stands, 
which answers the description perfectly. It was a notch out 
of the clerk's homestead. 

The meeting voted "to build a School house of twenty foot 
square and seven foot stud to be built within y e space of two 
years after y e date hereof to be finished and set on y e land 
before mentioned at y e towns coast." 

Thus began the Pond hills school house and, although the 
house then built has passed away, yet the locality has always 
been provided with a house. Why the present house is not on 
this lot is hardly clear ; but some three-quarters of a century 
after this date, when the house was old and unfit for use, 
there was some considerable contention in regard to the new 
house, which was finally settled by two men, who built the 
present house and afterwards sold it to the town. The writer 
has been told by old persons, who well remembered the trans- 
action, that such was the case, and Capt. Ephraira Weed and 
Ichabod B. Sargent were named as the men who built it. 

The selectmen hired Nathaniel Brown ( son of Dea. Joseph 
Brown) to keep school three months for "ten pounds." 

On the record appears the following: "Amesbury May y e 
28th 1 716. Taken from John Challis (by distress) a yearling 
heifer and proceeded with according to law. Sold for eleven 
shillings by me Henry Trussel late Constable of Amesbury." 



170 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

June 15th. Hannah Fowler, wife of Thomas Fowler, died. 
Sept. 27th. Widow Mary Challis died. 
Dec. 1 6th. Jeremiah Davis died. 

1717. 

The annual meeting was held in the old meeting-house, 
which may have been uncomfortable, and the few in attend- 
ance adjourned to the house of Elizabeth Colby, to meet in a 
quarter of an hour. Elizabeth was the wife of Samuel Colby, 
if he was living, but the vote would rather look as though he 
was dead. 

Before completing the whole business the meeting was again 
adjourned, to the house of Thomas Challis, on the 15th inst., 
This was an accommodation to the west part of the town, as 
Mr. Challis lived near Sandy brook, just west of Daniel F. 
Morrill's. 

Upon reassembling "The town then met did vote and chuse 
Thomas Challis for to finish our school house that is already 
raised according to his best judgment by y° time before men- 
tioned at y e town's coast." 

Instead of hiring a master to " wright and sifer," as formerly, 
the town chose Left. Currier and Left. Stevens to hire a 
" grammar school master and school dames for y e use of s d 
town." The good cause is slowly but surely progressing. The 
people are doing all they can for its advance. 

The meeting-house was not yet completed and the town 
voted that those having leave to build pews should do so with- 
in twelve months or lose the privilege, excepting Mr. Wells. 
The pulpit and deacons' pew seem to have been completed as 
the meeting proceeded to seat some of the most prominent 
men — Capt. Barnard, Capt. Foot and Ensign Orlando Bagley, 
sen., were "set in y e front seate at y e table." Capt. Chandler, 
Left. Currier, Ensign Hoyt and Cornet Blasdell were " to set at 
y e table in that seate next y° pulpit. Thomas Stevens and Sar- 
gent John Kimball are to set w th y e deacons, and also Joseph 
Lanckester, sen." 

The town voted to give Mr. Wells the old meeting-house, 
and it is probable that it was torn down and wholly disappeared 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 171 

this year. It had been the gathering place of those hardy pio- 
neers on each returning Sabbath for more than half a century, 
and now it was given to the faithful minister, which was a very 
proper disposition of it. 

Mr. Wells put in a petition at the adjourned meeting for 
leave to build a pew in the new meeting-house, and also in 
the one to be built at "Jamaco," of which the following is a 
copy : — 

"To y e Moderator of y e present meeting of y e inhabitants of 
y e town of Almsbury, March y e 15th, 17 16: 17, to be com- 
municated to y 1 - town that if they please to grant me y e privi- 
lege of a pew in y e new meeting house on y e left hand next 
y e south door seven foot in length and so wide as present va- 
'cant a space in y e judgment of y e workmen or Mr. Skipper Lunt 
or both of them, shall admit of for needful passage to y e ad- 
joining vacant space, and an other' in y e upper meeting house, 
granted to be built for place and dimentions at your own pleas- 
ure, provided it may not appear to be a ridiculous mockery, 
both to be built at y e charge of me my heirs or assigns. I 
will in addition unto ten pounds already allowed which was left 
out of rate dat. Sept. 14, 1 715, allow ten pounds more out of 
y e present rates dat. Octob r 23, 1716, or y e next, and sign a 
general acquittence for y e . town, a copy whereof may be seen 
next underwritten, and I expect my former papers given in to 
y e town and committee to be returned unto me, and this also 
if voted on y e negative." 

The following is a copy of the receipt, and seems sufficiently 
broad to cover the whole ground, thus avoiding all further 
dispute about salary : — 

" Id acquitt discharge and absolve y e inhabitants of y e town 
of Almsbury considered conjunctively as y e town of all debts 
dues and demands whatsoever relating to my yearly salary for 
my ministerial maintainence from y e beginning of y e world unto 
y e twenty ninth day of September^'in y e yeare of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and fourteen. 

As witness my hand Thomas Wells. 

Minister of Amesbury." 
"Voted on y e affermitive." 



[72 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Ever since the settlement of Mr. Wells there had been more 
or less trouble in regard to his salary. Hard and troublesome 
times pinched the people so that they could barely live, and, 
no doubt, failed to pay the minister. But they seldom refused 
to grant him any favor which he asked of them, and were 
really unwilling to part with him. In the early part of this 
year the road near the new meeting house was enlarged and 
bounded out to a knoll the south side of the swamp, near 
Martin's bridge and a road leading to the river, which was laid 
out in 1693. This confirms the location of the new meeting 
house, as stated in previous pages of this work. 

1718. 

Capt. John Barnard died July 15th. He had held many offices 
in town and was a man of sterling integrity and greatly respected. 
He was one of the committee to locate the meeting house in 
1 7 14 and on the committee to run the line next Haverhill in 
1 7 14, and the town meeting adjourned to his house in 1709. 
He was, probably, a son of Capt. John Barnard, who died in 
1700, and grandson of "Robert Barnett." 

1719. 

Constables have been collectors from the first, and were on 
that account considered important officers, and were not 
taxed ; but this year they were taxed, and allowed six pence on 
the pound for collecting. 

Capt. John Foot, Orlando Bagley, sen., and Thomas Challis, 
were chosen to return the bounds of land " into y e town book 
and also to join with y e selectmen concerning y e setting and 
and exchanging highways." Samuel Weed had served on this 
committee since 1694, but was dismissed at this meeting, be- 
cause, as they said, he was "ancient and decayed." So Samuel 
Weed at 66 was really an old fogy — not up to the times. It 
was a little rough to dismiss one who had faithfully served the 
town for more than a quarter of a century in such an undigni- 
fied manner. 

Sergeant John Colby died this year. His homestead was 
probably in the vicinity of Daniel F. Morrill's, who now owns a 
portion of it. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. I 73 

July 30th. A meeting was held and the following vote 
passed: "At y e same meeting that part of a vote is recalled, 
that is to say concerning y e place of building and setting our 
school house at y e west end of y e town, and voted to set said 
house on a pece of land near y e house of John Davis, and y e 
inhabitants of y e west end of said town to provide land for set- 
ting of said house on." 

1720. 

The selectmen were authorized to raise the money to defray 
the expenses of the town for the current year. 

Gideon Lowell petitioned for leave to fence in the road over 
Bailey's hill, and offered to give a piece of land at the mouth 
of Powow river for a landing-place. The offer was accepted by 
the town. 

Richard Currier petitioned for leave to build a vessel or ves- 
sels on the above landing, and was allowed the privilege. Ship 
building on the river at this date was a very important branch 
of business and was fast building up the Ferry. 

The schools were not forgotten, but at the May meeting the 
town voted "that y e school shall be kept at Jamaco five months 
from y e first of February last and the school shall be moved to 
town and there kept till seven months is expired after his re- 
moval to town." This was the grammar school. 

1721. 

The first mention of a bond given by the constables is found 
this year. John Pressy was accepted by giving a bond of 
^600, which William Pressey and Ephraim Weed signed. 

Capt. Foot was moderator of the annual meeting, but being 
unexpectedly called to a session of the legislature, Orlando Bag- 
ley, sen., was chosen at the adjourned meeting. 

Thomas Challis and Jacob Sargent were chosen to hire a 
school-master the present year. 

The road known as " Hunt's road," near the house of Benj. 
F. Huntington, was widened and defined this year : " Voted 
that y e town would have an open highway of three rods wide 
from y e countrey rode to y e town highway at y- head of the 
River lots out of y e parsonage land, said way bounding westerly 



i74 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



on y e land of Capt. Currier, Ephraim Hunt and Daniel Flan- 
ders." For many years there had been a road, but like many 
of the old roads, it was a mere path spotted through the 
woods. On three-fourths of the roads but very little was ex- 
pended for their improvement. 

Some difficulty having arisen in regard to hogs running at 
large, a special meeting was held " concerning of y e taking of 
y e sharpness relating to swine." "Voted that all hoggs should 
go at large on y e commons in said town for y e yeare ensuing 
they being yoaked and ringed as y e law directs." 

Constables were paid 12 pence on the pound for collecting. 

The General Court at its session begun on the 15th of March, 
passed a law authorizing the emission of bills of credit to the 
amount of fifty thousand pounds, for the use of the province, 
giving the following reason : "Whereas the public bills of credit 
on this province, which, for want of silver, have for many years 
not only answered the charge of his majesty's government, both 
in war and peace, but served as a medium of exchange in the 
merchandise, trade and business of the province, are grown 
scarce in proportion to the great demand of the same." 

These bills were to be loaned to the town and held by trus- 
tees, who were to loan the same on good security to the in- 
habitants. The towns received in proportion to their last prov- 
ince rate. The amount received by Amesbury was ^373. 
Capt. Richard Currier, Jonathan Blasdell and Orlando Bagley, 
jr., were chosen trustees, to loan the money on time not longer 
than four years, and to receive one quarter of the interest for 
their services. 

Very little hard money was to be found in the colony, and it 
was difficult to transact business or even pay taxes. 

Mr. Wells was directed not to go to Jamaco to preach till 
some place was provided for him. Very likely the want of a 
suitable place to hold meetings hastened the building of the 
second meeting-house, talked of some six years ago. Late in 
the year (Dec. nth) a town meeting was called to consider 
the matter, and possibly to make preparation to build the com- 
ing year. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 75 

At this meeting it was voted that, " that vote April y e 1 2 : 
1 7 14, which was voted to build our first meeting house at that 
part of y e town called Jamaco, should be built on that pece of 
land which Mr. Ring gave y e town at y e pond plain, is re- 
pealed made voyd and of none effect." 

"At y e same meeting voted that y e town would forthwith 
proceed in building a Meeting house at y e west end of y e town, 
commonly called Jamaco." 

Thomas Challis and four others opposed the measure, they 
being Quakers. Their protest availed nothing : the meeting 
went forward with the measure and "voted that y e said Meet- 
ing house shall be set on y e country road near y e house of 
Thomas Bettells." Thomas and Jeremiah Fowler owned land 
there and offered to give "one quarter of an acre of land lying 
most convenient for y e aforesaid Meeting house." 

A committee was chosen, consisting of Richard Currier, Ja- 
cob Sargent and Orlando Eagley, jun., to proceed with the 
work. The house was to be of the same dimensions as the 
one at the east end, built at the parsonage in 1 715. The lo- 
cation proved a bone of contention, being finally repealed in 
1722, and the question left to a committee taken from other 
towns. 

At the Friends' November monthly meeting at Amesbury, a 
communication from the quarterly meeting was read, asking the 
opinion of the meeting in regard to wearing wigs. Some of 
the order were conforming to the fashions of the world and or- 
namenting their persons with borrowed hair. This wicked de- 
parture from the plain course marked out by the founders of 
the order received very grave consideration at the next monthly 
meeting at Hampton, and the following conclusion was 
reached : " The matter above mentioned consarning y e Wear- 
ing of Wigges was Discorsed & It was concluded by this meet- 
ing y l y e Wearing of Extravegent superflues Wigges Is all to 
Gather Contreary to truth." 

1722. 

The town was presented for not having a school-master, ac- 
cording to law, and "Dacon" John Tukesbury was chosen to go 
to Ipswich court to answer. 



176 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

In 1 715 a petition was laid before the town for a highway 
from "Swett's ferry to Kingstown," and an old plan is now in 
the county commissioner's office showing the way as peti- 
tioned for, made the same year. Swett's ferry seems to have 
been in East Haverhill, or near the line of. the two towns, and 
the way went through the northwest part of the town to Kings- 
ton. This section was laid out in farms of various sizes, but 
in rectangles intersected by roads as convenience required. The 
town opposed the "way," and paid Jarvis Ring 45 s. for "put- 
ting it bye." 

The selectmen were instructed to hire a school-master, having 
had some trouble on account of the neglect to comply with the 
law. 

The annual meeting was adjourned " to the house of Eliza- 
beth Colby, inn holder," to meet at 9 A. M. on the 13th inst. 
Capt. John Foot, moderator of the meeting, was unexpectedly 
called to General Court, and Orlando Bagley, the clerk's father, 
was chosen for the remainder of the meeting. 

The constables were paid 6 s. on the pound for collecting, 
which is equal to two and one-half cents on the dollar. Rep- 
resentatives were allowed 12 d. per day in addition to what the 
law gave them. 

Last year the town voted to build a meeting house at the 
west end, near the house of Thomas Bettel on the country 
road, Thomas and Jeremiah Fowler engaging to give a quarter 
of an acre of land for that purpose ; but the location was not 
satisfactory, and a meeting was held May 14th and the vote 
reconsidered, notwithstanding very strong opposition.* The work 
had already commenced ; the materials were collected and on 
the spot and the building under contract and in process of 
construction ; but a portion were dissatisfied and determined -to 
change the location, notwithstanding the extra cost. 

"At y e same meeting voted to chuse three men as a Com- 
mittee fully impowering them to appoint a plase where y e said 
Meeting house shall be set as they shall judge most convenient 
for the west end of y e town called Jemaco and iff y e said Com- 

* Twenty-one entered their "contra dicent" to its repeal. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 77 

mittee see caus to appoynt any other place the town to be at 
general charge for y e removing of y e timber and other matters 
already provided in order for the promoting and carrying on 
y e said work of building and finishing s d house so that the 
Committee appoynted for building and finishing s d house and 
y e undertakers that are obliged to do and finish y e s d house 
afore s d may not be damnified by y e s d removal." 

The committee chosen were Col. Henry Summerby, of New- 
bury, Capt. Nathaniel Brown, of Salisbury, and Lieut. Richard 
Heason, of Haverhill. What conclusion was reached we hardlv 
know, as no report appears on the record. As, however, the 
house was not located on the " Country road," but on the plain 
a short distance above the present church, it is probable that 
this committee changed the location. 

The plain was, no doubt, the most populous portion of 
"Jemaco" at that time. Capt. Foot, the Aliens, Cottles and, 
no doubt, many others lived in the immediate vicinity. Capt. 
Foot's fort was there, to which in times of alarm all the fami- 
lies fled for safety and protection, as they did this very year. 

The Indians were making raids on the settlements in various 
places, and suddenly appeared at Jamaco. The alarm was given 
and great excitement followed. The women and children fled 
to the fort for safety. It was on this occasion 'that Anna Cot- 
tle was born, who died in 1810, aged 87 years, 11 months, 5 
days. Ushered into the world under such singular circumstan- 
ces, she yet lived to a great age, dying at a period when 
neither forts nor garrison houses were need. Her parentage is 
not very clear, but she may have been the daughter of Edmund 
Cottle, then living in some part of Jamaco. 

There were at this time several forts or garrison houses scat- 
tered over the western section of the town. One of them was 
located not far from the homestead of the late Enos Heath, 
one at the Highlands, and Capt. Foot's fort was on the plain 
where the school was kept a few years ago. 

It is probable that at this time a raid was made on the Pond 
hills. Tradition says that David Currier, the great ancestor of 
the Curriers there, while at work in his field near the Great 

2 3 



178 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

swamp, was aroused to a sense of danger by the growling of 
his dog, which lay not far off. Being thus put upon his guard, 
he made a hasty survey of the surrounding premises, and pres- 
ently espied an Indian very quietly picking huckleberries near 
the woods. Snatching his gun he fired, wounding the Indian 
slightly under the arm, which so frightened the poor fellow that 
he called for quarter without firing. "Lay down your gun and 
I'll give you quarters!" was the reply, which he did very read- 
ily. He was taken to the garrison house, near the residence of 
the late D. G. Estes, and subsequently exchanged. The gun 
was kept and is now in possession of Mr. John Currier, who 
lives on the premises. He was one of a party of five or six 
who were on the war-path seeking mischief. Startled by the 
firing, they were seen running over the hill towards the pond 
a few minutes later. 

Before the close of the year the "way to Kingstown was laid 
out," and the town complained of the heavy burden imposed 
upon them in consequence. 

Rev. Thomas Wells, the eloquent young preacher who capti- 
vated the hearts of the people in 1674, had now grown some- 
what aged, having most faithfully expounded the word for more 
than forty-eight years, and passed through many very trying 
times, as well as the people, began to feel the need of some 
relief from the duties which every year grew more arduous. 
Accordingly a meeting was called to "make choyce of men to 
procure an orthodox Schooller to assist our reverent Mr Wells 
Minister in y e work of y e Ministry." Nothing was done at this 
meeting except chosing a moderator, and thus the matter rested 
awhile. 

Widow Elizabeth Colby petitioned for leave to fence across 
the old road back of Pleasant valley ( then called River lots ) 
;it both ends, "making convenient gates and maintaining them 
at each end." 

"This voted on y e afarmitive." Many of the roads were thus 
turned into pastures every year. The Sandy Brook road was 
fenced in and used by Thomas Challis and Thomas Nichols, 
through whose land it was located. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 79 

1723. 

The record of the annual meeting is missing this year. 

The town, having laid out a landing near Nichol's creek, found 
that the land taken was given to the "bank of credit" for secu- 
rity, and could not be legally taken without the authority of the 
Court. Accordingly, Capt. Foot was chosen to petition the 
"enferour court" to establish the landing as desired. Capt. 
Foot was, also, "to represent at s d court in matter and caus of 
and concerning the great hardships we are under concerning a 
highway lately laid out from Swetts Ferry to Kings Town." 

This was a costly road and of no great benefit to Ames- 
bury — rather a damage, cutting the farms in some cases to a 
great disadvantage. It might have been valuable to Swett's 
landing, - affording better accommodations into the country. 

Thomas Barnard died December nth. He was a grandson 
of the first Thomas Barnard and, by inheritance or otherwise, 
had come into possession of a large property, appraised at 
^543, 16 s. His horn-beam tubs were valued at 23 s., yoke 
of oxen ,£10, horse 40 s., two cows ^4. Tobacco was named 
in the inventory, but no potatoes, nor do any of the old inven- 
tories at Salem mention them up to this date, or even some- 
what later. Some part of his homestead touched the pond. 

Joseph Kimball died during the year. He was chosen on 
the board of selectmen at the annual meeting, and was of the 
family at the pond. 

Some of the Friends were putting up large stones at the 
graves of their friends, contrary to the principles of the order, 
and the monthly meeting took notice of the matter, as follows : 
"This meeting taking Notis of y e superfluas Stones sat up At 
y e Graves in y e buermg place Dwo tharefore Desire Joshua 
Purington benjamin Houg & Moses Swett to Discors with those 
y l have sit up y e same & bring thayer. Account to y e next 
monthly meeting y 4 so In Deavers may be used to hinder 
sutch things." 

1724. 

The new meeting-house was so far completed as to be ready 
for those having permission to build pews to proceed with their 



l8o HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

work. " Lieu" Thomas Hoyt, Dacon Joseph Brown and John 
Challis " were chosen a committee to assign the pew-room to 
those who were about to build. For the privilege of pew-room 
each was to pay ten shillings, and if not built or occupied be- 
fore the last of May all was to be forfeited. 

Jamaco was now well accommodated for religious worship, 
with the exception of a minister, and the question very natur- 
ally arose, How shall he be hired and paid? To settle this 
question a town meeting was called April 24th, when it was 
•' voted whether or no y e town will still keep together (or part) 
in y e maintaining two ministers among us, this vote voted and 
past on y e affermitive, viz. : to part in y e maintaining our min- 
isters." 

The dividing line was fixed at Nichols' creek, and up the 
brook to the country road, thence north to the pond and 
across to back river, thence up the river to Bartlett's brook to 
his saw-mill, and thence, as the brook goes, to Country pond. 
This gave each parish a large territory, until the State line was 
defined anew. 

To make this division valid and establish two parishes in 
town, the consent and approval of the General Court was needed. 
Accordingly a meeting was called on the 28th of October to 
take measures for the confirmation of this line by the legis- 
lature, but those opposed were the stronger, and voted not to 
apply for a confirmation. Capt. Richard Currier and forty- 
others, mostly east end men, entered "themselves contradicent 
to and dicenting from y e vote last past and entered upon 
record." 

The west end people were not fully satisfied with the line, or 
with a division at all, and with what assistance they obtained 
at the east end, had for the present virtually defeated the 
measure. 

Rice Edwards asked the town for a small piece of land in the 
yard at the Ferry where he was building vessels, to set a house on 
so long as he continued building, and his petition was granted. 
Capt. Currier and Thomas Challis were appointed to set him off 
four rods. Ship-building was adding to the population and 



HISTORY OF AMESBURV. l8l 

wealth of the town, and all favors for its encouragement were 
cheerfully granted. 

Enoch Coffin was the school-master this year. 

Thomas Nichols, whose home was on the plain near Tappan 
Emery's, died this year. By his will he gave his son Jonathan 
live shillings, his daughter Anna, wife of Samuel Colby, five 
shillings, Mary, wife of Ralph Blasdell, five shillings and two 
bushels of winter apples for ten years if she would go into the 
orchard and pick them ; Esther, wife of Ichabod Colby (and at 
a later period the famous "Widow Esther Colby, Inn holder" ), 
five shillings ; Thomas, five shillings ; David, forty shillings ; Rachel, 
five pounds when eighteen ; and to Stephen, Ebenezer and Ben- 
jamin, all of his real estate. He was the father of those bearing 
that name in town, and a Friend. 

1725. 

Capt. Currier, Jacob Rowell and Samuel Lowell petitioned for 
leave to build a wharf " upon y e Powow river to the north- 
ward of Mr. Lowells his wharf," and the petition was granted. 

Last year the town was divided into two parishes, but was 
not presented to the General Court for confirmation on account of 
some disagreement on several points. The west parish, how- 
ever, went forward and hired a minister, who continued to preach. 
The parties could not agree as to Mr. Wells' maintenance in 
his old age, or about the "parsnage" land, which was ever to 
be kept for the use of the ministry. The west parish would 
have given up the land to be cleared from contributing to the 
support of Mr. and Mrs. Wells. 

To settle this difficulty by the adoption of some just measure. 
John Challis was directed to warn a meeting on the 7th day of 
April, at the east meeting-house, " to consider of sum means 
whereby to settle ourselves with respect to y e payment of our 
ministers ; and to endeavor a loving agreement for y e future 
setling ourselves for y e future respecting y e same, either in our 
being together or asunder." 

Under this mild and peaceful invitation, the people assem- 
bled and confirmed the line to be perpetual and "mutually 
agreed upon and concented to and with by us y e s d .inhabi- 



1 82 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

tants, that y e lower precinct shall pay to y e upper precinct so 
much as y e s d upper precints are assessed to pay to y e main- 
tainance of Mr. Wells for his work in y e Ministry in y e year 
1724; within three months after y e date hereof and it is fur- 
ther mutually agreed upon by y e s d inhabitants that y e upper 
precinct shall have and enjoy y e one half of y e pasnage land 
and meadows conditionally that they shall and do pay to and 
for y e use of Mr Wells maintainance after he is disabled for 
carrying on y e work of y e ministry y e one half of what is to be 
payd to him and also pay to Mistress Wells y e one half of 
what she must be paid by y e towns agreement with Mr Wells." 

It was, also, decided to have a confirmation, and Joseph 
Davis was intrusted to lay the matter before the General 
Court. 

The confirmation was, as follows ; — 

"In y e house of Representatives May y e 29th 1725. Read 
and ordered that y e prayers of y e petitioners be so far granted 
as that y e town of Amesbury be and hereby is divided into 
two separate and distinct precincts by y e line mentioned and 
described in y e petition, and that such of them shall have exer- 
cise and enjoy y e same powers and privileges with y e other 
precincts in y e province. 

Sent up for concurrence, 

Wm. Dudley, Speaker. 

In Council May y e 29th 1725 Read & Concured concerited 
to /. Willard, Secretary. 

Wm. Dumer. 
A true copy from y e files Examined by 

/. Willard. Secretary." 

The town voted to have a school kept "one quarter part of 
y e s u time for this year near or at y e dwelling house of Tres- 
trem Barnard iff in case there be a convenient place provided." 

1726. 

The division of the town into parishes last year by the General 
Court was the occasion of an organization of a separate church 
on the 19th of May, as appears by the parish records, from 
which the following is taken : — 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 83 

"Amesbury, May 19, 1726; Was gathered the 2d church of 
Christ in Amesbury, there being then present the Rev. ministers 
of the gospel, viz. : Mr. Wells, Gushing, Parsons, Tufts and 
Brown." 

A creed was adopted, containing the embodiment of their 
faith, especially the Puritanical doctrine of the decrees, election, 
reprobation and depravity. The church covenant followed, and 
the whole was signed by 

Pain Wingate, Titus Wells, William Moulton, 

John Foot, Valentine Rowell, John Blasdell, 

Thos. Fowler, Samuel Stevens, Philip Rowell, 

Abraham Merrill, Joseph Sargent, Tappan Ordway, 

Thomas Colby, Joseph Bartlett. Abram Merrill, jr. 

The whole was ratified by public acknowledgment in the 
congregation, and Mr. Pain Wingate, then a young man, was 
made choice of to carry on the work of the ministry. 

Arrangements were then made for the ordination of Mr. Win- 
gate. Capt. John Foot and Abraham Merrill were chosen to 
send letters to the neighboring churches, to send delegates ; and 
their ministers were invited to take part in the services. 

Mr. dishing of Salisbury was selected to preach the sermon, 
or, if not able to do that, to give the charge, which he did. 
Letters were sent on the 23d of May, and the ordination took 
place on the 3d of June. Mr. Wells made the prayer, Mr. 
Gookin preached the sermon from John xx. : 15. Mr. Tufts 
offered prayer and Mr. Gushing gave the charge, and Mr. Par- 
sons gave the right hand of fellowship. 

July 13th. Abraham Merrill and Joseph Colby were chosen 
deacons, and this completed the organization of the second 
church in Amesbury. 

It was decided to furnish the communion table by the "free- 
will offering" of the church. It cost ^7, 10 s. 10 d., and the 
whole service was purchased in Boston and the following is the 
bill of pieces : — 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



OSTON, 


Aug. 


8th 


. i' 


726. 






£■ 


s. 


d. 






4 


6 
18 

2 
M 

5 






10 




2 Hard Metal Floggers, 

2 Tankards, 

2 Platters, 

4 Tumblers, 

1 Bason, 

4 yds. Linen cloth, 



j£"j 10 s. iod. 
The following is a list of persons taxed for the support of 
preaching in the west parish for the year 1726. It is given 
here as showing very nearly the whole male population of the 
parish who were voters or above twenty-one years of age. It 
may not be improper to remark that all were taxed for the sup- 
port of the legal church. This list of persons was assessed to 
raise the sum of ,£220 8 s. yd. to carry on the work of the 
ministry : — 

Abraham Colby, ^ Abner Brown, 
Benony Tucker, Benjamin Tucker, 

Charles Sargent, jr., Charles Allen, 



Abraham Merrill, 

Abner Whittier, 

Benjamin Hadley, 

Cutting Feavor, Daniel Hoyt, 

David Sargent, Elias Colby, 

Ephraim Pemberton, Eben Aboot, 

Jacob Hoyt, Philip Rowell, 



Jonathan Colby, 
Jonathan Sargent, 
John Pressey, 
Thomas Davis, 
John Martin, 
Samuel Hadley, jr., 
Nathaniel Merrill, 
Joseph Hadley, 
George Hadley, 
Henry Dow, 
Micah Lanckester. 
William Pressey, 



Joseph Sargent. 
Philip Sargent, jr.. 
Nehemiah Heath, 
Samuel Martin, 
Ezra Tucker, 
Richard Goodwin, 
Samuel Silver, 
Jonathan Cleark. 
John Hoyt, 
Thomas Dow, 
John Sargent, 
Jacob Pressey, 



Daniel Sargent, 
Ephraim Davies, 
Francies Davies, 
Timothy Hoyt, 
Samuel Davies, 
Joseph Bartlett, 
Samuel Hunt, 
John Straw, 
John Hunt, 
William Davies. 
Samuel Hadley, 
Richard Kelley, 
Isaac Colby, 
Joseph Lanckester, 
Thomas Stevens, jr.. 
John Nichols, 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



I8 5 



Robert Ring, ^Jonathan Nichols, 

John Pressey, Henry Trussell, 

Insign Jacob Sargent, Joseph Pregett, 



John Blasdell, 
Joseph Davies, jr., 
Joseph Moody, 
John Lanckester, 
Phillip Sargent, 
Thomas Beedle, jr., 
Thomas Rovvell, 
John Foot, jr., 
Timothy Sargent, 
James Ordway, 
Timothy Colby, 
Jonathan Clement, 
Samuel Poore, 
John Oseleway, 
John Harvey, 
Josiah Fowler, 
Jacob Sargent, jr., 
William Sargent, jr. 
David Coope, 



Joseph Collens, 
Nathaniel Davies, 
Jedidiah Titcomb, 
Jeremiah Fowler, 
William Moulton, 
John Whittier, 
Samuel Foot, 
Joseph Currier, 
John Davies, 
Samuel Stevens, 
Joseph Harvey, 
John Bartlett, sen., 
Joseph Shoort, 
William Harvey, 
William Fowler, 
Titus Wells, 
Jonathan Ferrien, 
Isaac Rogers, 
Ezekiel Colby, 



Samuel Juel, 
Henry Trussell, jr., 
Nathaniel Tucker, 
Joseph Davies, 
Philip Call, 
Israel Young, 
John Fowler, 
Thomas Beedle, 
Vallentine Rowell, 
Capt. John Foot, 
Thomas Colby, 
Jonathan Davies, 
Robert Beedle, 
Jonathan Kelly, 
Thomas Bartlett, 
John Bartlett, jr., 
James Dow, 
Thomas Fowler, 
Thomas Wells, 
Samuel Colby, jr., 
Andrew Rowen, 
Charles Sargent. 



Widows :- 



J Mary Busell, Hannah Gurdy, 
{ Mary Sargent, Margaret Challes. 

The foregoing list will show in which parish a large portion 
of the people lived, and is valuable on that account. 

Timothy Colby received eight pence on the pound for col- 
lecting the west parish tax. 

There was a Dr. Peterson in the west parish at this time, but 
nothing is known of his history. 

On the 25th of November a town meeting was held to choose 
a representative for the fall session of the General Court, and 
the choice fell upon Capt. John Foot. He was "to represent 
s d town at a General Court now holden at Boston, to endeavor 
to have y e County of Essex divided into two countys." The 
object of this move does not appear. It may have been an 
attempt to re-establish the Old Norfolk county north of the 
river. 24 



1 86 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1727. 

A committee was chosen "to purchase of Mr. Ring two acres 
of land at y e burying place at y e pond plain and to receive a 
deed of y e same at y e cost and for y e benefit of s d town." 

This was no doubt designed to enlarge the burying-ground, 
but it is very doubtful if the purchase was ever made. 

Nathaniel Brown was accepted as school-master till the March 
meeting. 

For a long series of years, perhaps from the first, people had 
paid their province or country rates in grain arid the products 
of their farms, which had to be transported to Boston and 
delivered to the government. This year the town offered to 
abate one-fifth to those who should pay direct to the treasurer 
of the province. This tax was ^72 6 s. this year. Prices as 
fixed by law were: "beef, ^3 per barrel ; pork, ^5 10 s. ; 
winter wheat, 8 s. per bushel ; summer wheat, 7 s. ; barley, 
6 s. per bushel ; rye, 6 s. per bushel ; Indian corn, 4 s. per 
bushel; oats, 2 s. per bushel; flax 16 d. per pound; pease clear 
of buggs, 9 s. per bushel; firkin butter, good, sweet, 12 d. per 
pound; hemp, 9 d. per pound; beeswax, 2 s. 6 d. per pound"; 
dry hides, 6 d. per pound ; leather, 1 2 d. per pound ; merchant- 
able dry codd, 30 s. per quintal ; oyl, £2 10 s. per barrel ; 
whalebone six feet long and upwards, 3 s. 6 d. per pound ; bay- 
berry wax, 16 d. per pound; turpentine full bound, 13 s. per 
cwt. ; merchantable bar iron, 48 s. per cwt. ; cast iron potts and 
kettles suitably sorted, not too heavy, 48 s. per cwt. ; well 
cured tobacco, 4 d. per pound ; good tryed tallow, 8 d. per 
pound." 

At the annual meeting it was "voted that no person shall 
cutt down or other ways distroy any trees standing on y e 
country rode or on any town way within two miles of Merri- 
mack river, on y e forfeiture of forty shillings per tree so cut or 
destroyed." How changed are things ! At present there are not 
trees enough beside the road for the weary traveller to rest 
under. 

Thomas Fowler died, October 3d. He was a man of con- 
siderable note, having served as representative in 1695, I 7°°> 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 87 

1705, 1707 and 1 710, and was several times moderator of town 
meetings. He was chosen assessor in 1694 and grand juror in 
1695, and his name is frequently mentioned on the records. 
He lived at "Jamaco" and was opposed to building the meet- 
ing-house at the parsonage in 1 715, probably because but One 
house was to be built, and that too far off. Thomas and Jere- 
miah offered to give a quarter acre of land to set the meeting- 
house on at Jamaco in 1721, near Thomas Bettel's, on the 
country road. The first mention of his name on the record is 
in 1678, when he was chosen to define the bounds of highways. 
He sued the town in 1679, anc ^ Capt. Foot was chosen to de- 
fend the suit; and he was constable in 1685. The exact time 
when he settled in Amesbury is not known. He was born in 
Wales and probably came over when a young man, and, it is 
said, served seven years for his passage to America. He had 
a brother Jeremiah living in x\mesbury, who probably came over 
at the same time. In his will he mentioned his son, William, 
and daughters, Jane Ford, Mary Colby,* Hannah Ring and Mar- 
garet Challis.f He gave his son William forty acres of land 
near Country pond, and mentioned his grandson, Thomas, son 
of Jeremiah. He was a farmer, and said he was old, in his 
will. 

Sept. 3d. Bathsheba Foot, wife of Capt. John Foot, died. 

On the ancient account book of David Blasdell is an account 
of an earthquake on the 29th of October, at 10 p. m., which 
he calls the " first Earquake." 

Capt. Richard Kelley also mentions this earthquake in his 
diary, as follows : — 

" In y e yeare 1727, October 29, about ten of y e clock, it being 
Sabath day night, was the Grate earthquake which was extrode- 
nery loud and hard as awaked many out of sleep, the housen 
did shake & windows ratel and puter and dishes clater on y e 
shelves & y e tops of many chimneys fell of & maney ware so 
shatered as that people ware fain to take them down and new 
build them again." 

♦Married Isaac Colby, Sept. 23d, 1706. 
fMarried William Challis previous to April 15, 1699. 



155 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Rev. Mr. Wingate received " 30 cords good wood " this 
spring for his supply. This would be considered a large allow- 
ance at the present day. 

The West parish paid Wm. Pressey ;£i6 for building a fence 
at the burying ground. 

Jan. 26th. Mary, wife of Rev. Thomas Wells, died. 

1728. 

The province treasurer was directed to issue ^60,000 in bills 
of credit, to be loaned to the towns in proportion to their val- 
uation. Amesbury received ^473, 5 s. The proportion of this 
town in the issue of 1721, when ^50,000 was the total sum, 
was ^73, and, had the same proportionate share been received, 
it would have been £88. The valuation of Amesbury had 
increased more than the average of towns in the province, or 
it would not have received so large a sum as ^473. This 
speaks well for the prosperity and enterprise of the people. 

John Challis, William Moulton and John Sargent were chosen 
trustees to receive and loan the money in sums not less than 
two nor more than ten pounds to any one person. The rate 
of interest was fixed at six per cent. 

The trustees of the former bank were ordered to render their 
account before November 29th. Thus began the banking sys- 
tem which, under various forms, has been continued to the 
present day. 

Abigail Merrill, wife of Deacon Abraham Merrill, died July 
nth. 

John Bagley died March 9th. He was several times chosen 
selectman and in several instances town meetings were adjourned 
to his house. 

March 7th. Thomas Stevens and Joseph Bartlett were chosen 
deacons of the second church. 

A collection was taken this year by the Friends toward repair- 
ing the Boston meeting house, and Amesbury Friends contrib- 
uted ^5, 10 s., Hampton jC$, 10 s., and Newbury 40 s. 

In 1722 the town considered the propriety of engaging a 
colleague for Mr. Wells in order to lighten his labors, which 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 89 

were now weighing somewhat heavily upon him in his declining 
years ; but nothing further was done at that time. 

This year the Rev. Edmund March was ordained July 3d. 
He was a graduate of Harvard college in 1722 and was about 
twenty-five years of age. 

1729. 

The ferry across the river at Capt. Hook's occasioned some 
trouble at this time, and at several meetings votes were passed 
in regard to obtaining it from the hands of those who were 
monopolizing the privilege. 

At the annual meeting Jonathan Blasdell was chosen to search 
the records, and, at a meeting in September, John Blasdell, jr., 
and John Challis were chosen attorneys to obtain the ferry by 
"tryal at law" at the town's cost. Capt. Humphrey Hook was 
using the ferry and, probably, receiving the benefit, and a por- 
tion of the people were dissatisfied, no doubt thinking the town 
might as well receive some little income therefrom. A meeting 
was called in December to strengthen the committee in their 
law-suit, as it was now in court; but, after choosing Thomas 
Challis moderator, the meeting was dismissed. Evidently Capt. 
Hook's party were in the ascendant and defeated all action. 
The question created considerable excitement, and the people 
were very much divided in regard to it; but the end is not 
yet. 

The selectmen were ordered to perambulate the line between 
Amesbury and Haverhill and, also, to hunt up the town lands. 
The trustees of the First bank were ordered to pay Capt. Foot 
five pounds towards his services as representative this year. 

John Challis and John Blasdell were chosen to remove all 
encroachments on the highways through the town. 

Deacon Thomas Stevens died April 14th. He was one of 
the leading men during a large part of his life, filling nearly all 
the important offices in town at some period. He served as 
selectman seventeen years and was twice elected representative. 

His first election as one of the selectmen was in 1684, and 
his last in 1724. Thomas was a very popular name in the 
early days of the town, and, during six years of Deacon Steven's 



190 HISTORY OF- AMESBURY. 

serving, the whole board, including the clerk, were able to 
rejoice in the Scriptural name of Thomas, thus : — 

1684. Thomas Currier, Clerk. 1685. Thomas Currier, Clerk. 

Thomas Barnard, ") Thomas Stevens, ") 

Thomas Stevens, >- Selectmen. Thomas Sargent, >- Selectmen. 

Thomas Currier, ) Thomas Currier, j 

1687. Thomas Currier, Clerk. 1689. Thomas Currier, Clerk. 

Thomas Stevens, ^ Thomas Barnard, ~\ 

Thomas Barnard, >• Selectmen. Thomas Stevens, >- Selectmen. 

Thomas Currier, j Thomas Currier, J 

1694. Thomas Currier, Clerk. 1697. Thomas Currier, Clerk. 

Thomas Stevens, ") Thomas Barnard, ) 

Thomas Barnard, >- Selectmen. Thomas Stevens, >• Selectmen. 

Thomas Currier, j Thomas Currier, ) 

Thomas Harvey, Representative. Thomas Harvey, Representative. 

Truly from 1684 to 1697 was an age of Thomases,, such as 
never was before or since, nor ever will be again in the history 
of the town. 

Richard Martin died March nth. He was mostly noted for 
being one of the lot layers from the death of his father, George 
Martin, in 1685, to the present year, although he held many 
other offices. He lived near where Nicholas Balford now lives, 
in a pasture on the south side of Goodale's (P. Valley) hill, 
and may have been a tanner as well as farmer, as several tan 
pits are to be seen near his residence. 

On the 21st of November an event occurred at the Ferry 
which attracted no unusual notice, nor perhaps brought joy to 
any excepting the father and mother of the promising boy, 
who was at a later period known as "Josiah Bartlett," a signer 
of the Declaration of Independence. He was the son of 
Stephen and Hannah Bartlett, who then lived at the Ferry in a 
house which stood on the spot now purchased for an Old 
Ladies' Home. The house remained until the fall of 1878, 
when it was removed, being nearly two hundred years- old. The 
history of the boy born here need not be repeated, as all who 
read American history are familiar with his life. The " Home " 
contains nearly two acres — a beautiful spot, and should contain 
a suitable monument to Amesbury's most noted son. 

Nov. 30th. Nathaniel Brown died in the 30th year of his 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 191 

age. On his monument is the following : — JUI-HABUft-PRI- 
MUM-GRADUM-IN-ARtIBUS-COLLGIO-HARU-1722. 

He was the son of Deacon Joseph Brown, and a graduate of 
Harvard college, but what professsion he had chosen we have 
no means of knowing. He was, before entering college, a 
school-master, and was engaged to teach in Amesbury in 1716. 
He was no doubt a young man of much promise. 

1730. 

There being some danger that the charter of the province 
would be taken away by the king and council, Messrs. Wicks 
and Belcher were employed by this town (and perhaps by all 
other towns) to represent matters in England. Mr. Belcher 
was a native of the province and popular at court. A serious 
dispute had arisen between the new governor, William Burnet, 
and the General Courts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 
in regard to his salary. The excitement is supposed to have 
caused his death in a few months, which greatly exasperated 
the royal government in England, causing a strong feeling in 
favor of reducing the province to " a more absolute dependence 
on the crown." To pay these agents for their services the 
town appropriated ^"30 this year. 

For certain offences the punishment was sitting in the 
" stocks or bilbowes, or putting their tongues in split sticks." 
Having on hand a lot of offenders whom the town was unable 
to punish properly, it was voted at the March meeting " to 
have one paire of stocks immediately built and set where y e 
selectmen shall think most convenient." This was to be done 
immediately. As these stocks were usually set up in some high- 
way or public place, it was really no small punishment to sit 
thus exposed to the gaze of friends and foes. 

Thomas Cottle having purchased the interest of Rice Edwards 
in the ship-yard near Gideon Lowell's, petitioned the town for 
a continuance of the grant made to Edwards, and had his pe- 
tition allowed. 

Last year an action was commenced to recover the ferry at 
the mouth of the Powow river from the hands of Capt. 
Humphrey Hook. What progress was made does not appear, 



192 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

but this year a meeting was held Nov. 9th to take measures to 
carry on the suit. The inhabitants were notified to meet at 
the west meeting-house, and even there it was a close contest. 
The choice of moderator seems to have been a test question, 
and he was only chosen by "drawing out of s d meeting house." 
Batt Moulton was chosen moderator, and his brother William 
and John Blasdell, jr., (all west end men) were chosen com- 
mittee to continue the prosecution. 

Capt. Hook's party was present contesting the ground, but 
the west end people were too strong for them. Capt. Hook 
and thirty-one others "entered themselves contradicent to and 
dicenting from y e above written." Two years had now passed, 
and but little progress had been made toward recovering the 
ferry from the hands of Capt. Hook. 

Philip Rowell was this year appointed clerk of the Friends' 
monthly meeting in place of Moses Swett, who had served for 
many years. 

1731. 

Jonathan Barnard petitioned for leave to build a bridge 
" across y e falls on Powow river, about four rods below y e bridge 
now across s d river, provided y e town of Salisbury may consent 
thereto, he y e s d Barnard to make and keep y e s d bridge for- 
ever at all times in good and sufficient repair, in consideration 
whereof he y e s d Barnard to have our part of y e ould bridge 
and also y e liberty of making a dam across s d river for his own 
use for y e flooding and stopping of water for y e use of a mill 
or mills not damnifying y e highway nor y e town of Salisbury, 
nor any other dam or dams, mill or mills, as y e affair may be 
vewed and considered by a committee's report at y e next meet- 
ing for a confirmation, and you will much oblige your peti- 
tioner. The petition was referred to a committee consisting of 
Richard Currier and Orlando Bagley, who reported in its favor, 
and it was allowed at an adjourned meeting. 

*The West parish bought land of "Capt. ffoot or John ffoot, 
jr., for a burning place," and the assessors drew their order in 
his favor for £4. 

*Parish Record. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 93 

October 4th, " Philip Rowell for mending y e parsnedg fence 
in 1730, 2 s. ; and for nails and fitting y e school house, 2 s. ; 
and for a desk or table in y e school house, 5 s. 000. 09, 00." 

The Rev. Mr. Wingate's large fire-place seemed to require a 
great deal of wood in the course of the year, according to the 
assessors' orders, which are as follows : — 

"Ordered to Wm. Moulton, for ten cord of wood to Mr. 
Wingett, 005. 05. 00. Ordered to Jonathan Kelly, for ten cord 
of wood to Mr. Wingett, 005 05 00. Ordered to Joseph 
Currier, for ten cord of wood to Mr. Wingett, 005 05 00." 

This was in March, 1732, really, and probably was a year's 
supply. 

Mr. Thompson was employed as "school master" this year 
by the town. 

John Foot, jr., sold to the West parish, April 8th, 210 rods of 
land, being 40 rods long, for a training field and parish uses 
of passing and repassing, to lay common forever. The consid- 
eration was ;£n 16 s. It is yet common near the cemetery, 
and constitutes a considerable portion of the open space in that 
vicinity. An old deed from John Foot, and his son John, 
jr., to Rev. Pain Wingate, dated a few years subsequent to the 
above, refers to this training field in bounding the purchase, 
and calls it one and one-half acres. The description of Mr. 
Wingate's purchase is as follows : " by Nathaniel Merrill, Timo- 
thy Colby, Widow Margaret Challis ; west by one and a half 
acres purchased for a training field and partly on parish land 
where the meeting-house stands, and partly on land bought for 
a burying place behind s d meeting house." This fixes very 
nearly the location of the first meeting-house. 

1732. 

Mr. Thompson was again chosen school-master, provided his 
wages were not raised. 

The ferry which has occasioned so much feeling and trouble 
is not yet recovered from Capt. Hook. September 4th a meet- 
ing was held, and by a vote of fifty-seven to twenty it was a 
thud time voted to obtain it out of his hands. By what right 
or authority he held the ferry does not appear. 

2 5 



194 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

John Hoyt received of the West parish, for " drawing a deed 
for y e parish of y e buring place, and a bond, and giving out 
coppys, ooo 12 oo." 

Rev. Thomas Wells received of the West parish ^"23 6 s. 8 d., but 
what services were rendered is not known. If his colleague, Rev. 
Edmund March, was with him at this time, the probability is 
that he preached for Mr. Wingate. 

1733. 

For many years past those keeping horses were required to 
enter them with the clerk, giving a description, in order to 
obtain a license for them to run at large on the town's com- 
mons. Unless such license was procured they were liable to be 
taken up as stray beasts. A book was kept for that purpose, 
and to enter ear-marks, which is yet in the clerk's office, 
although very much worn. The following are copies of some 
of the entries : — 

"Mr. Wells, A white mare w th a small slit on y e topp of her 
right ear. March y e 28, 1694." 

" Richard Martin a iron grey mare w th a square notch cutt 
on y e under side of y e left ear & a square pece cut out of y e 
uper side of y e right ear ; an other mare black w th y e same mark. 
Aprill y e 11 th 1694." 

Such licenses were required from 1694 to 1733, after which 
none are found. The town commons were gradually narrowing 
down till they finally disappeared altogether. In 1694 there 
were 17 horses licensed, in 1725 only 21; but no doubt there 
were many not licensed — kept at home for work. 

Cattle and sheep were also marked by slitting and notching 
their ears, and the varied marks display considerable ingenuity. 

Feb. 24th. On the West parish records is found an order 
"To y e R nd mister Winget, which was allowed him for dividing 
y e east parsonedg 02 00 00." The town records make no men- 
tion of the committee appointed to divide the parsonage land or 
the time when it was divided, but the above order shows that 
it was done previous to this date. 

For many years the Friends have had much trouble with John 
Collins about "bearing testimony" or preaching, against which 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 95 

he had been repeatedly cautioned and admonished, even to 
" denying him to be in unity " with them, but all to no pur- 
pose. Judging from the lenient treatment which he received, 
he must have been an able speaker, although somewhat rash in 
his expressions. At the monthly meeting in June he was pres- 
ent and expressed his mind as follows : — 

" John Colllins being spoke to concerning our Last Labouring 
with him to forbear offering among us by way of publick Testa- 
mony or preaching : he s d John Collins stood up in s d meeting 
and made the following speech or Protestation : ( which was as 
followeth) viz. I had rather than conforme to your judgment 
go and Kiss the Poopes toe : or turn Powower among the 
heathern : yea or go joyn with mehomit or be carried into the 
uttermost Parts of the Earth and there be put into Jayl near 
to hear joyfull sound more : yea or if hell was open before me 
and God behind mee with all his heavenly Host, and they the 
Heavenly Host should tell mee that if I would not conform to 
you he would Imediately cast me in thither I would Rather 
trust in his mercy that he would not, than conforme to what 
you would have mee ; which was to forbear speaking in our 
meetings untill he be reconciled to his Brethren." 

Verily, perfect freedom was not found even among the Order 
of Friends. After laboring with him some five years longer, he 
was, in 1738, formally turned out of the society. Mr. Collins 
was of Salisbury and, probably, an honest free-thinker. 

1734. 

It was contemplated obtaining a grant of land from the Gen- 
eral Court to assist in establishing a free school in town, and 
the representative elect was instructed to petition the next Court 
to that effect. If any such petition was preferred, no record of 
the result is found. 

At the May session the General Court passed a stringent law 
in regard to taking fish in the Merrimac river. No person was 
allowed to set up any " wear, hedges, fish garths, stakes, kid- 
dles or other incumberance," under a penalty of fifty pounds 
for the first offence and one hundred pounds for every other 



196 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

offence, and any one was authorized to destroy such obstruc- 
tions. Nothing is said about fishing with seines. 

During the first years of the settlement fish were very plenty 
and were easily taken by these various contrivances, but, as they 
grew more scarce, the public were opposed to any waste by 
traps, etc. 

Rev. Thomas Wells died July 10th in his eighty-eighth year. 
He was bom at Ipswich January nth, 1647, an d was a son of 
Dr. Thomas Wells. His father died in 1655 and in his will 
gave him his "three ptisick bookes and Hyelongs Geogripta, 
and one two and twenty shilling piece of gould and the new 
pictures viz of the King and Queene and the five sonllies." 

"I give it to my son Thomas toward his charges of his 
going to the Colledge and for bookes and apparell &c to put 
him to Mr. Allecke, or the like." He continued his studies, 
fitting for and entering Harvard college, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1669. It is probable that the intention of his father 
was that he should, after completing his collegiate course, study 
medicine. It was, however, decided that he should study for 
the ministry, but we have no means of knowing with whom he 
studied. 

His first appearance as a preacher was in Newbury, where he 
preached and, also, at the Shoals, before coming to Amesbury. 
Thoroughly educated and possessing brilliant talent, his first 
appearance evidently made a very favorable impression. Nor 
did his record during his long pastorate disappoint his admir- 
ers. On his first appearance in town, Mr. Hubbard was popu- 
lar, giving excellent satisfaction by his labors, and not a word 
of complaint was heard from any. But the young preacher's 
eloquence was too powerful for the people to withstand — they 
followed enchanted by the words which fell from his lips. They 
went about repairing and finishing the minister's house, gave 
him the minister's land and several other lots, and seemed to 
work with a will hitherto unknown. 

In Newbury he married a lady by the name of Parker and 
was blessed with seven sons and three daughters. His pastor- 
ship extended through many trying times, when his people 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. I97 

could hardly raise salary enough to support him. Indian wars, 
citizens murdered and carried into captivity, unfruitful seasons 
and many other trials were not uncommon. He was obliged 
to preach when it was dangerous to travel to church, especi- 
ally so far as "Jamaco." All these troubles prevented the peo- 
ple from raising sufficient crops at times to supply their wants ; 
but, under these trials, he was ever ready to suffer with his 
people, and more than once voluntarily abated part of his sal- 
ary. At times vexed with the peculiarities of his church, yet 
he was ever ready to bear and forbear. He was, however, 
prompt to speak his mind in regard to their course as well as 
his own. The times in which he lived, although not particu- 
larly noted for free speech, were somewhat remarkable for plain 
language, and, in answer to a vote of the town touching his con- 
tinued services, he commences thus : " I had a great deal 
rather you would supply yourselves better," and closes by 
charging them to never let him hear more from them unless 
they accept his terms, signing "Just as you please I am your 
humble servant." 

For many years he kept the book of births and deaths, and 
his penmanship was good, plain and bold. It is presumed that 
he was settled according to the custom of those times, which 
was for life ; and yet the town seldom failed to vote on con- 
tinuing his labors another year. In fact, more than once it was 
voted that the town was free from him and he from the town. 

He was not wholly dependent upon his salary for his living, 
as his good management had enabled him to become quite a 
land-holder. He lived in his own house nearly the whole of 
his long ministry. He kept a horse and some other stock. In 
1694 he had a white horse; in 1708 and 1709 he had a black, 
white-faced mare; in 1710 he had a brown- bay horse; in 1711 
a blackish mouse-colored horse, and in 1 7 1 2 "a brown-bay horse, 
gristly crooked Blase on his forehead and right eye walled." 
Judging by the description it might seem that his judgment was 
not quite as good on horses as on other matters, since it rather 
looks as if his "white horse" of 1694 was worth more than 
the comical "Walled eye" of 171 2. He is said to have lived 



198 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

on the premises now owned by the heirs of the late Capt. 
William Bartlett, just south of the Academy lot on the main 
street, where the lilacs still mark the spot. 

During the last few years the Rev. Edmund March was his 
assistant, as age had unfitted him to some extent for the' per- 
formance of all the required duties. At what time Mr. March 
came to Amesbury we are unable to state ; but a meeting was 
held in 1722 for the purpose of taking measures to secure the ser- 
vice of an assistant, but nothing was done. He was in town 
in 1728 and bought ten acres of land of Nathaniel Weed, 
where he afterwards built his house. 

"Mother Balch" gave the Second church a tankard. 

The Friends at Haverhill were allowed to meet in their town 
at private residences. 

1735. 

At the request of more than thirty of the principal citizens 
the town voted to join with Newbury in petitioning the court 
of sessions to establish a ferry at Savage's rock. The select- 
men were chosen a committee to work in concert with the 
selectmen of Newbuiy for that purpose. They were not suc- 
cessful and the town again applied to the quarter court in Sep- 
tember at Newbury, John Blasdell being employed as agent. 

Capt. Hook was still holding the ferry and annoying the town 
by his law cases. He had recently commenced an action 
against Batt Moulton and Edmund Cottle, which was soon to be 
tried at Newbury. The town made choice of John Blasdell to 
defend its interests, but he was not successful, the town losing 
the case. An appeal was taken to the superior court and 
Ensign Thomas Rowell and William Moulton were chosen 
to manage the case for the town. In the mean time a com- 
mittee was chosen to treat with Capt. Hook, but nothing was 
accomplished. He was an obstinate fellow and bound to have 
his way. 

Oct. 13th. A meeting was held and it was "voted to have 
our county of Essex divided into two counties," and Represen- 
tative Blasdell was instructed to present the matter to the Gen- 
eral Court. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1 99 

Henry Flood was very poor and had a son who was a crip- 
ple and unable to work, and to prevent his ever being a pau- 
per he presented the following petition to the annual meet- 
ing :— 

"To y e moderator of y e present meeting, to communicate to 
y e town of Almsbury now assembled this ioth day of March, 

1734: 5- 

A petition of Henry Flood of Almsbury aforesaid, showing 

that y e providence of God he hath a son that is a creppel and 
is not likely ever for to get a living in y e world without a tay- 
lers trade y e w ch y e s d Henry Flood cannot procure without 
money, y e w ch he is not able to do by reason of his poverty ; 
therefore he humbly prayeth that y e town would be pleased at 
this meeting to pass a vote to give y e man that shall take him 
(this lame lad) and learn him to be a workman at y e taylers 
trade, y e sum of five pounds, and you will oblige your peti- 
tioner. 

Dat. March y e ioth day, 1734: 5. 

his 
Henry X Flood, 
mark. 
Voted and past on y e affermitive on condicion y e s d money is 
employed for y e use and end above mentioned. 

T/ios. Stevens, Moderator. 

The father and town acted wisely : the one to provide for 
the future welfare of his son, the other to prevent his becom- 
ing chargeable to the town for a long series of years, as would 
most certainly have been the case. 

Ichabod Colby was now inn-holder at Bartlett's corner, and 
the meeting of October 13th adjourned to his house. He was 
the husband of the famous Esther Colby, who continued the 
tavern for many years. 

June 3d. Jacob Merrill died. Tradition says that he was 
accidentally shot, although the record does not mention the 
fact. About 1722 Abraham Merrill, then in Newbury, opposite 
Pleasant valley, and his three sons, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, 
and two daughters, sold his farm and came across the river to 



200 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Jamaco. He was a grandson of Nathaniel, who came to New- 
bury in 1635. 

The following is a list of "y e people called Quakers in y e 
east parish that are exempt by y e court from paying any tax 
towards y e support of ministers in this province : 
Thomas Challis, Jacob Rowell, Samuel Jones, 

John Jones, James Dowe, Trestrem Barnard, 

Samuel Gould, Aaron Rowell, Phillip Challis, 

Margery Weed, Nat. Weed, Samuel Norton. 

Returned by Thos. Meekins, Joseph Jewell, Samuel George, 
assessors of the East Parish." 

This year we find Dr. Hale taxed for a farm in the West 
parish, on which Mr. Mitchell lived, but find no tax after 1736, 
when he probably was in town. 

1736. 

The most noted event of the year was the new road from the 
road at Clapboard landing to the road at Cottle's landing. To 
open this two rod way along the river, the owners agreed to 
give the land, their object being " to incourage trade and for 
the conveancy for traveling was the subscribers prone to lay 
open a highway of two rods wide forever for the town's use." 
One of the pleasantest drives in Amesbury and Merrimac is 
along the banks of the river where up to this time there was no 
road, and through Pleasant valley not till half a century later. 

It seems to have been sickly this year, more deaths than 
usual being recorded. Jacob Jones died June 2d. Thomas 
Fowler lost two children, and Rev. Pain Wingate his two 
oldest. 

1737. 

A new move was made this year looking to the erection of 
a house for the reception of idle persons by several towns in 
this section of the county. It was designed to answer the same 
purpose as the present house of correction at Ipswich. The 
stocks so hastily built in 1730 hardly answered all purposes, 
and hence this move, which failed to meet the' views of other 
towns. Orlando Bagley and Thomas Rowell were chosen to 
consult with other towns in regard to the matter. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 201 

The ferry which was granted at Savage's rock was left with 
the selectmen to let. 

The schoolmaster was annually provided, but there is no 
mention of female teachers at this date. The trustees of the 
First bank were ordered to pay the schoolmaster for "y e use 
of y e town fifteen pounds ten shillings." 

Wolves were again getting troublesome and the selectmen 
were authorized to pay " forty shillings for killing of a wolf for 
as many as shall be killed in s<i town and y e heads brought and 
so sartifyed to y e Selectmen of s d town by y e person or per- 
sons so killing them." 

A road recently laid out through William Moulton's land in 
the West parish occasioned a great deal of trouble for a couple 
of years. He had been awarded ,£15 damages by the town, 
which was not satisfactory, and an addition of ^10 was made, 
which did not satisfy him. 

To get rid of this dispute a meeting was called August 1st, 
and it was "voted to allow and pay to Capt. Thomas Hoyt 
one hundred pounds of money for an open way or Road of 
two rods in width through his land whereon his son Jacob now 
dwells, beginning at y e Northwest corner of Hannah Grant's 
land near her dwelling house and so through said Capt Hoyts 
land to y e highway near y e ould Fort." 

Thus ended this troublesome affair. The exact location of 
this road can hardly be determined by the record, the bounds 
of it being "a red oak tree" or "a stump and stones." It 
was, however, in the vicinity of the old fort, which, probably, 
meant Capt. Foot's. 

John Pressey died December 13th. 

In Capt. Richard Kelley's diary is the following : — 

"In y e spring of y e yeare in 1737 was an extrordenry seaseinn 
for hay by which reason maney chatell in y e countrey wear lost 
and many others brought very low. 

And the sumer after was the scarcest time for corn that 
ever i knew." 

The line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts having 
occasioned no little dispute, an attempt was made this year to 

26 



202 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

have the whole matter adjusted, and, accordingly, the Great 
General Court accompanied by the governor and council passed 
through Newbury and Salisbury on their way to the disputed 
territory near Hampton. Perhaps the incident cannot be bet- 
ter described than by quoting the effusion of some witty poet, 
who thus sings : — 

"THE GOVERNOR'S CAVALCADE." 

" Dear paddy you never did behold such a sight, 

As yesterday morning was seen before night 

You in all you born days saw nor I didn't neither 

So many fine horses and men ride together 

At the head, the lower house, trotted two in a row 

Then all the high house pranced after the low 

Then the Governor's coach galloped on like the wind 

And the last that came foremost were troopers behind 

But I fear it means no good to your neck and mine, 

For they say 'tis to fix a right place for the line." * 

This famous cavalcade was formed at Boston on the ioth of 
August and proceeded to Hampton Falls where they met the 
New Hampshire assembly and proceeded to discuss matters 
preparatory to a settlement of the line. From here the Massa- 
chusetts assembly adjourned to Salisbury, where they were in 
session until the 7 th of September. Tradition points out the 
old house near the meeting house at East Salisbury as the one 
in which the General Court was held. The final decision was 
adverse to the interests of Massachusetts, cutting off a large 
territority from her jurisdiction. Southampton was a portion of 
this territory lost. 

Samuel Colby and Trustram Barnard joined the Friends this 
year. 

1738. 

At the annual meeting a bounty of ^5 was voted for each 
"woulf .that shall be killed." A bounty of 20 s. was offered in 
1687 and repealed in 1696 ; but now, forty-two years later, it 
was found necessary to again offer this bounty in order to save 
their sheep from these ravenous beasts. 

* Belknap's History of N. H. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 203 

1739. 

Some encroachments were found on the land set aside for 
the ministry, and the town "voted to prosecute any person who 
should improve any part of the parsnage lands by fencing or 
plowing or any other ways." 

A committee was, also, chosen "to see to y e observation of 
y e law or acts relating to killing of Deer." The design of this 
law was to protect the deer which occasionally strayed into this 
colony from a more northern latitude. 

At the annual meeting it was "voted to give unto David 
Blasdell ours y e towns Meeting house Bell." David was a 
clockmaker, and may have used it for casting clock bells. 
There may be a history to this bell, which, if known, would 
be interesting. It was, probably, a gift and not purchased by 
the town, otherwise the record would have made some mention 
of it. It was sent from England. 

John Sargent was captain of the Jamaco military company 
and Benjamin Morse clerk this year. 

Dr. Nathan Huse is first taxed in the West parish this year. 

1740. 

The great event of this year was tunnelling the pond ridge. 
This singular geological formation in the shape of sharp ridges 
extending in one continuous and nearly unbroken line from the 
Ferry hill far into Newton, N. H. (and, some have asserted, 
a great deal farther,) has always been to the student of nature 
a great curiosity. Its general course is northwest and stretching 
along through the great swamp ; passing the pond it still con- 
tinues its well-defined course, slightly broken by nature or some 
powerful prehistoric current, near Thomas Colby's, so as to 
afford the pond the only outlet which it originally possessed, 
and then passes on to Newton, N. H. On the earlier records 
we find this break termed the " terrormost end of y e pond 
ridge." The most favorable section was chosen, some fifty or 
sixty rods from the pond's mouth, where the base of the ridge 
contracts somewhat and allows the tunnel to open into a low 
meadow on the easterly side, through which the water passes 
into the Powow river. Orlando Bagley, Esq., and Capt. Caleb 



204 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Pillsbury obtained leave of the town, on the 19th of May, to 
commence and complete this work, which at once greatly 
improved the large tract of meadow in the vicinity. Previous to 
this the meadow was full of stagnant water and the coarse grass 
cut there was not obtained without much labor of no very de- 
sirable kind. Tradition says that two men — Mr. Ring and Mr. 
Nutter — performed the labor on the tunnel for "a barrel of rum," 
and from the best information we have been able to get, there 
seems but little doubt that such was the fact. 

At an adjournment of the annual meeting, David Tuxbury, 
constable, reported as follows : 

" I have been at y e dwelling house of Samuel Gould, in order 
to notifie him to appear this day to make oath to y e office of 
a constable, and cannot find him, nor understand where he is 
gone, and I have been at y e house of Samuel Colby, jr., to 
notify him to take the oath to y e office of a hogreef, and can- 
not find him." 

These offices were not sought, but frequently declined in 
these times. 

Thomas Hoyt was Captain of one military company, and 
John Bagley, clerk. Jonathan Currier was captain of the second 
company, and John Currier, jr., clerk. 

The Hampton line was not defined and run to the satisfac- 
tion of the town, and it was decided to petition "y e King's 
most excellent Majesty in behalf of this town" for its rectifica- 
tion, and Mr. Thomas Hutchinson was constituted agent for that 
purpose. 

The road and landing at the river were bounded out and 
described as away and landing given to the town in 1737 by 
Capt. John Sargent, Dea. Thomas Stevens and others. Capt. 
Sargent and Dea. Stevens lived in the vicinity, the road passing 
their houses. 

1741. 

The subject of building a house for poor and idle persons 
was again before the town and approved by the meeting. A 
vote was passed requesting Newbury and Salisbury to join in 
carrying the measure into effect, but nothing was done by those 
towns. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 205 

Orlando and Jonathan Bagley petitioned for leave "to build a 
wharf fifty feet in width on the piece of flats between Mr. 
Lowell's wharf and Timothy Currier's, about midway between 
them, from the bank to the channel of Powow river," and was 
allowed to do so. 

John Fowler ; has for years been allowed ^5 per year to 
assist in maintaining his diseased or 11011 compos daughter. 
This year he asked for ^10 and was allowed £6 in provisions, 
to be ordered by the selectmen. 

Capt. Thomas Rowell, Left. John Hoyt and Abner Whittier 
were chosen to hire a school-master for the town and direct 
"y e time and place where y e school shall be kept at the west 
end of the town," and Orlando Bagley, Stephen Bartlett and 
Jacob Bagley were chosen to order the place at the east end. 

The following is a copy of the assessors' certificate, filed in 
1 741, the .original being now in the clerk's office, giving a com- 
plete list of the Quakers in the East parish. 

"A list of the Names of those persons called quaakers In the 
East parish in Amesbury given out In compliance with an act 
of Court Directing there to be put on Record by the Town 
Clark are as followeth 
Jacob Rowel and we Know of No others that have 

Aaron Rowel ever obtained sartificats from the soci- 

Edward Upton ety of quakers according to s d act of 

Samewel Barnard Court to free them from paying tax 

John Jones to the ministry Established according 

Samuel Gould to the laws of the Province. 

Thomas Chalis Given under our Hands Dated July 

Widow Margery Weed the 16, 1741. 

Nat Weed Stephen Bartlett ) Assessors for 

Samuel Jones David Clough > the East Parish 

Tames Dow Isaac Tuxbery ) in Amesbury." 

The winter of this year seems to have been a very cold one 
according to Richard Kelley's diary, which we quote, as fol- 
lows : "febuary 28, 1740-41 then I went down to newbury 
with my team & carried a load of wood for Mr Joseph Dow & 
sume other teams with me, we went on to y e River at Sweats 



206 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ferry & I went of down at newbury a letel above the great 
meeting house and i saw no hole open all the way as we went 
no not so big as to put ons foot in & m r Wells Chase cut a 
hole through y e ice at deare island in y e strongest place of 
y e tide & measured the ice and found it to be two foot and a 
halfe thick and people had sleded down on y e River for about 
two months before this — the like i never heard of in aney win- 
ter before." 

1742. 

The plan of building a common workhouse with other towns 
having failed, it was determined to carry out the plan at home. 
Accordingly a meeting was held in February, when it was 
agreed to hire a house, and that of John Bartlett was selected 
for the purpose. Mr. Bartlett was chosen master, to take charge 
of the establishment and keep those entrusted to him at work. 
According to the following, Edward Goodwin and wife were the 
first to grace this new institution : — 

" At y e same meeting voted that Edward Goodwin and wife 
and daughter is committed to s d house and under y e custody 
of y e s d Bartlett as Master to be put to labor." 

This was the first attempt at establishing an almshouse in 
town. 

The bounty on wolves was continued and the law against 
killing deer ordered enforced. 

Jonathan Barnard was dismissed from " y e office of a Select- 
man " and Ezra Gould chosen in his stead. 

Samuel Shepherd was chosen constable and dismissed in Sep- 
tember for "being not of capasity to officiate in s d office." 

Feb. 3d. Samuel Jones died. 

March 4th. John Wingate, son of Rev. Pain Wingate, died. 

1743. 

The old subject of a workhouse was again revived, and in 
February a committee was chosen to " trate with y e town of 
Newbury and Salisbury" and report at the annual meeting. No 
report is to be found. 

The ferry at Savages' rock was leased to Deacon Stevens for 
five years at forty shillings, old tenor. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 20 7 

The selectmen were ordered to procure standard weights and 
measures for the town's use. 

Rev. Elisha Odlin first appears in town this year, in July, as 
the following, from the East parish record, shows : — 

" Ordered to Capt. John Currier for boarding Mr. Odlin and 
keeping his hors, and troble, from y e 22 of July to y e 22 of 
February, twenty pounds, old tenor." 

Rev. Edmund March, the colleague of Mr. Wells from 1723 
or near that time, was dismissed in the early part of the year 
by a council held at his house. The parish was in debt to 
Mr. March, and in February, 1744, paid him ^300, old tenor, 
which partially settled his account. A note of £86 was also 
paid about this time, and it looks as though the parish was 
badly in debt during the last of his ministry. 

Nathaniel Hunt and Nathan Barnard were " taken under the 
watch and care " of the Friends' monthly meeting, October 20th, 
1 743- 

1744. 

Sept. 26. Deacon Abraham Merrill died. He was born in 
Newbury and lived across the river opposite Pleasant valley, 
until he was sixty years of age, when, with his three sons, (and, 
probably, two daughters,) he came to Amesbury and located in 
the West parish, about 1722. When the second church was 
organized, in 1726, he was chosen deacon, which office he held 
till his death. The church record has the following : — 

"March 10, 1745. The brethren of the church being desired 
to stop after divine service, the pastor first mentioned the death 
of good old Deacon Merrill." 

He must have been at this time more than eighty years of 
age. He was frequently sent as messenger to other churches, 
and served as selectman in 1726. 

To pay the expense attending the ordination of Mr. Odlin 
last year, a rate of ^42, 13 s., 4 d., old tenor, was assessed 
upon the parish February 8th. This was rather expensive for a 
parish already somewhat in debt. 

The cause of Mr. March's dismission last year is nowhere 
stated definitely, but is spoken of as "the affair" betwixt him 



208 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

and the parish. The record of the expense of the council which 
convened at his house contains the following items : — 

£ s. d. 

"Deac Stephen Bartlett for service done for the 
parish as assessor and committy relating to the affare 
Betwixt Mr March and the parish 05 12 04 

To Deac Stephen Bartlett for porke, chese, shu- 
gar and Eages carried to provide for the council at 
Mr Marches 01 15 05 

To John Currier for service done for the parish 
as assessor and Committy Relating to the affair 
betwixt Mr March and the parish 04 00 00 

To John Currier for veal carried in to provide for 
the Council at Mr Marches desmission 01 05 00 

To Deac Isaac Tuxbury for service done for the 
parish as assessor and Committee in the affair betwixt 
Mr March and the parish 04 04 00 

To Deac Isaac Tuxbury for meal, meat and but- 
ter carried in to provide for the Council at Mr 
Marches Dismission 01 07 06 

To Left Jonathan Barnard for providing for the 
Council at Mr Marches 01 09 00 

To David Clough for providing for the Council 
at Mr Marches 01 08 00 

To Mr George Worthing jr for providing for the 
Council at Mr Marches 00 10 00" 

No Doubt the council was abundantly supplied with good 
things to eat and drink, and the result of the deliberations was 
a dismissal. 

As already noted, Mr. March had built a costly house on 
land bought of Nathaniel Weed in 1728, perhaps expecting to 
spend his days in town, as Mr. Wells had done. He, however, 
removed to Newbury soon after his dismission, and in 1746 
sold his farm of thirty and one-half acres to Isaac Merrill, Esq., 
for ^950 in bills of credit, old tenor. The cottage house of 
Lewis B. Davis now stands on the spot where Mr. March built 
his nice house. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 2O9 

John Currier was captain of the first foot company in Ames- 
bury, and George Worthen, clerk. 

Abner Philbrick appeared in the monthly meeting held Janu- 
ary 19th, 1744, and "declared that his first coming amongst 
friends was by reason of prejudice against y e Presbiterians and 
his desiring to be under the watch and care of y e meeting was 
only covetousness to save himself from paying y e ministers and 
that what he hath done and said amongst friends pretending to 
be one with them in the truth they make profession of was 
hipocrisy and deceit." He was unanimously dismissed. 

1745. 

Hannah Bettel applied to the town for help, when her father's 
estate was sufficient to maintain her. The town "voted that y e 
estate of her father ought to do it, and past on y e affermetive 
that y e estate ought to do it, and that y e town proceed in y e 
law for to see who ought to do it," and the selectmen were 
appointed to test the matter at the town's cost. The town was 
willing to indulge in the luxury of a lawsuit and seldom avoided 
one in old times, but the expense was light in comparison with 
modern suits. 

When the Rev. Edmund March was dismissed, the parish 
owned no house for the minister to live in, and from the records 
it appears that one was built this year. Numerous orders are 
recorded for labor and material, amounting in all to ^65, 17 s. 
6 d. Repairs were also made on the meeting-house, amounting 
to ^17, is. 7 d. 

It is well known that the churchmen built a meeting-house at 
the Pond hills, on the lot now known as the "old church-yard," 
but the exact date cannot be ascertained. The private records 
of Rev. Matthias Plant, however, contain the following, written 
in 1745, to his friend: — 

" Dr. : You will not think it amiss if I inform you 

that I have a pretty church at Amesbury, on the other side of 
the Merrimack river. I gave a calf towards a dinner for the 
men who raised it, and ^5 this currency for nails towards 
shingling it. I was going to send for glass to England for it ; 
but this unhappy quarrel arising, I forebore ; but it is worthy of 

27 



2IO HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

the notice of that venerable body. I have preached there for 
many years, in a house, before the church was built, and since 
in the church, where I also had a numerous congregation." 

As early as 1716 Samuel Weed and William Pressey are men- 
tioned on his record, and George Worthen in 1722. Rev. 
Matthias Plant built and owned the house near the chain bridge, 
since owned and occupied by the town of Newbury for a poor- 
house. His church, known as Queen's chapel, stood on the 
plain now occupied as a cemetery. There was strong opposi- 
tion to the building of this chapel, and the night after it was 
raised (1711) it was pulled down by a mob. Thus it seems 
that there were no Episcopalians in town till 1716. It is wor- 
thy of note that Mr. Plant describes the Amesbury house as a 
"pretty church," which seems to conflict with the idea formerly 
held — that it was but partially completed. The Weeds and sev- 
eral other wealthy men were of this order, and were abundantly 
able to build and complete the house. 

On Mr. Hackett's old account book the following is found, 
which may serve to illustrate, to some extent, the customs 
of the times. The items are for raising a vessel which Mr. 
Hackett built : — 

"To 1 gallon rhum and shugar for raisen, 

To expense to get y e frame bands up, 

To geting y e wales abought, 

By your order drink, 

To drink to get y e uper wales on, 

Geting y e beams in, 

To a Saterday's nite can, 

1746. 

Jacob Bagley and Abner Whittier were chosen to take care 
of all idle persons, according to law. 

Forty shillings were offered as a bounty for killing a full- 
grown wolf. 

Deacon John Tuxbury, Thomas Rowell and Orlando Bagley 
were chosen to exchange some land on Bailey's hill for two 
pieces at the landing. The old road running through Mr. 
Lowell's, on the hill, was given up in consideration of land on 
the river to enlarge the landing. 



01 


08 


00 


00 


10 


00 


00 


07 


00 


00 


07 


00 


00 


oS 


06 


01 


00 


00 


00 


°5 


00 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 211 

The town voted that they would not be "at any charge for 
y e support of Hannah Bettel." Nothing was said of the law- 
suit commenced last year. At a meeting later in the season 
people seem to have changed their minds, as it was "voted to 
allow Jonathan Farren and Thomas Bettel four pounds and ten 
shillings, old tenor," for her support. 

The town ordered the selectmen to " doome those persons 
who have wood-land according to their best judgment." 

The first by-law. Some persons were in the habit of cutting 
trees on the highways, and to prevent such infringements of 
the town's rights a stringent law was passed March 9th. The 
reasons given for this course were — "which practice, if con- 
tinued in, will be very detrimental to many of his Majestie's 
subjects, and perticulerly to the inhabitants of said town of 
Almsbury." 

BY-LAWS. 

"Voted and it is hereby voted and ordered by y e Inhabitants 
of s d town of Amesbury at s d meeting that if any person or 
persons Inhabitants of s d town shall from and after y e tenth day 
of April in 1747 until y e tenth day of April 1748, cut down 
any tree or trees standing on y e countrey road or any of y e high- 
ways in s d town of Amesbury ( without leave first obtained from 
one or more of y e Selectmen of s d town ) and shall thereof be 
convicted before a Justice of the Peace or Court of record 
every person or persons so offending shall forfit and pay to y e use 
of y e poore of s d town of Amesbury y e sum of twenty five shil- 
lings for every such tree by him or them cut down as afore 
s d to be sewed for and recovered by y e town Clerk or Select- 
men respectively." 

This "Order" was presented to the court of general sessions 
for approval at Ipswich, and was approved. 

The selectmen and commissioned officers were ordered to 
divide the town's stock of amunition and " take care of y e same 
that it may be well secured." 

"Voted also that the selectmen shall enquire of Capt. John 
Currier how that he disposed of y e sixty pounds he received of 
y e town for parchising town stock." 



212 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Oct. 6th. A town meeting was held to authorize the select- 
men to make a rate to pay town debts and ^"150 rising charges. 
The town debt was ,£200 at this time. 

By leave of the General Court the West parish, by their com- 
mittee, consisting of John Hoyt, John Sargent and Thomas Row- 
ell, sold the parsonage land assigned to it after the division of 
the town, to Isaac Merrill, Esq., whose great grandson now 
owns it. 

The school-masters this year were Stephen Tufts, who received 
^32, 10 s., and Mr. Cotton, who received £60 for their ser- 
vices. 

John Collins continued to be so troublesome in the Friend's 
meeting that, at a monthly meeting held in Amesbury February 
■2 1 st, they chose a committee to appeal to the governor for 
help, and another committee to " carry him out " if he refused 
to go. 

1747. 

Ephraim Hunt was chosen "task Master for to receive into 
his house and care and well to imply all such poore and indi- 
gent or idle persons of s d town that shall be sent to him by 
y e Selectmen or overseers of y e poore of s d town and his 
account to be allowed by y e Selectmen of sd town." 

There were, no doubt, several persons who could not or 
would not earn their living, and the town very wisely concluded 
that they should work as well as eat. The necessity for a poor- 
farm is very apparent, although it did not occur to the town. 
A union workhouse had long been contemplated, but a town 
establishment was not considered. Ephraim Hunt lived on the 
Hunt road, which leads to the Buttonwood district from near 
John H. Blackstock's. 

Isaac Merrill, Esq., had leave to fence in the road between 
the parsonage, which he bought of the West parish last year, 
and the Pleasant Valley lots. This old road, laid out in 1669 
and now mostly covered with wood, was never worked and 
very little used. It was fenced up without "bars" contrary 
to common usage, which shows it to have been worthless 
to the public. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 213 

The following is from the East parish records : — 

£ s. d. 

"March 24, 1747, Ordered to Stephen Barnard 
being in y e sarvice at Cape Brittian 149 

To Jacob Bagley jun being in captivity 260 

To Jacob Bagley being rated for a vessel that 
was taken 1 13 9" 

David Hoyt and Isaac Tuxbury received ^15 each for "fenc- 
ing stuff" for the parsonage land. 

Rev. Matthias Plant received ^15, 11 s., 2d., from the par- 
ish rate on account of the churchmen, of whom the following 
is a list : John Bartlett, Ehod Bartlett, Frank Bartlett, William 
Currier, John Huntington, Samuel Huntington, Jonathan Hunt- 
ington, Gideon Lowell, Samuel Lowell, John Hook, and Batt 
Moulton. Their tax was ^20, 3 s., 6 d., out of ^897. The 
foregoing is the first list found. 

Among the items of expense this year was "^15 for keep- 
ing Worrens Black child for y e time past." Capt. Sargent kept 
her and agreed to keep her till she was eighteen years of age 
for ,£20. 

"Ordered to Dr Robert Rogers for medsens for M s Weed 
and y e Widow Hookley 16 s." 

William Whittier petitioned the town for leave to set up a 
brick-yard "near the Button tree and was allowed to do so." 

This brick-yard was just west of the Buttonwood road at the 
bank of the Merrimac river, near the house of Thomas Page. 
How long Mr. Whittier occupied this yard is not known ; but, 
probably, for a number of years. On this Buttonwood road, 
about half way up to Daniel F. Morrill's, are the sights of two 
more brick-yards, where many bricks were once made. The 
"Button tree" here spoken of is named in the records of 1703 
and has been a very noted tree for a century and a half. It 
was the eastern bound on the river of the landing, as defined 
at that date. 

Mr. Daniel Kelley was greatly afflicted this year by the death 
of five children in fourteen days, as follows : October 1 7th, 
Marcy C, aged ten years; October 19th, Lydia, aged six years; 



214 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

October 20th, Mary, aged eight years ; October 29th, Deborah, 
aged four years ; October 30th, Moses, aged two years. What 
this fatal disease was, the record does not state ; but seldom 
has it fallen to the lot of any family to be thus afflicted. 

1748. 

The poor were boarded out as usual to the best advantage. 
Samuel Shepherd kept Mary Fowler for 17 s. per week : George 
Worthen kept Widow Hookly for n s. 6 d. per week, and 
Hannah Bettel for 12 s. per week. 

Dr. Ordway charged 20 s. for doctoring the poor. 

David Blasdell, a descendant of Henry, sen., made two foot- 
stoves for the tithing men, and received £1, 4 s. These stoves 
were about eight or nine inches square and six inches high, 
made of tin and wood, with a cup inside to be filled with coals, 
to keep the feet warm. When meeting-houses had no stoves 
to warm them, these were a great comfort. Some of them are 
yet in existence, kept as curiosities — mementos of the past. 

At the annual meeting Thomas Rowell, Orlando Bagley and 
John Tuxbury were chosen to make an exchange of the road 
over Bailey's hill for a landing at Powow river's mouth. The 
exchange was made and ratified by the town, giving Mr. Gideon 
Lowell all of the road through his land over the hill and 
receiving two pieces of landing at Powow river, viz. : " One 
piece lying near y e mouth of s d river, being in wedth aboute 
seven rods from y e northwest corner of Timothy Currier's house, 
joining to a highway westerly till it comes to rainge with y e 
lower cap piece of Mr. Gideon Lowell's wharfe as y e wharfe 
now stands from s d highway to s d Powow river, abutting upon 
Powow river to low water mark easterly, and to said Currier's 
land southerly. And also one other piece of land adjoining y e 
s d highway westerly, twenty-two rods in length, having a stone 
fixed in y e ground at y e southwesterly corner next y e s d high- 
way, thence running easterly to Powow river to low water-mark, 
six rods up said river in distance from y e northwest corner of 
Capt. Currier's ware house, and having at y e northwest cor- 
ner next s d highway another stone fixed in y e ground ; so 
running from s d stone near as y e course of Gideon Lowell's, 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 215 

jun., fence now stands, to low water mark to that part of 
Powow river that lyes to y e west of an island in s d river which 
takes in y e cove, high bank and flats to y e line first mentioned, 
from s d rock at s d highway to y e six rod distance from s d ware 
house afore mentioned." 

This land has been nearly or quite disposed of, so that the 
town has no landing, unless there may be a small one at the 
foot of the lane by Mr. Cowden's house. 

March 28. Thomas Challis, jr., sold to Ephraim Weed two 
acres of land — being the southerly part of his homestead, for 
^80, old tenor. 

This lot included the spot where Mr. Alfred Bailey's mill 
now stands at the Button Falls, and the deed refers to "an old 
dam " as then being there, so that the spot was one of the 
oldest mill privileges in town, if not the oldest. 

The sum of ,£400, old tenor, was raised to defray past ex- 
penses. 

1749. 

At the annual meeting it was voted to fence the burying 
ground at the pond plain. 

It was also "voted to raise y e sum of eight hundred pounds, 
old tenor, for y e defraying of necessary charges heretofore resin 
and may arise for y e present year in s d town." 

For many years the old paper money has been growing of 
less value, and now it becomes necessary to designate what 
money is meant in all grants and contracts. Prices have been 
constantly rising as the money depreciated and the times were 
getting rather hard. Fanning and ship-building were the two 
principal branches of business and main stay of the people. 

Dec. 8th. Ephraim Hunt sold to Isaac Merrill eight acres of 
land on the corner "near y e meeting-house," and also "y e frog 
pond," in consideration of ^358, 15 s. 

The first-named lot is now the homestead of Geo. W. Bart- 
lett, whose house stands on the spot where Edward Hunt lived 
when the meeting-house was built in 17 15. Around this church 
were more houses than can be found in the vicinity now. 



2l6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1750. 

The selectmen were allowed ^4 for their services, which was 
to be lawful money, and was, probably, equal to the ^30 of 
depreciated currency allowed last year. 

For several years the town has carefully guarded the treasury, 
not even allowing the selectmen to order out money without 
calling a town meeting, and this year passed the following 
vote : — 

" Voted that y e Selectmen of last year shall render an account 
of their doings at y e next meeting on adjournment." It is 
probable that their account was satisfactory, for, at the adjourned 
meeting, they received leave " to order out sums not to exceed 
8 s. to any one person," and were, also, made town treasurers. 

Jonathan Bagley having purchased the house and wharf at 
the Ferry, of Timothy Currier, asks the town to exchange the 
fifty feet of land granted him in 1741 for fifty feet next his 
wharf, and his request is granted. 

For a long time the need of a bridge across the Powow 
river at the Ferry had been very apparent and this year the 
subject seems to have received special attention. At the annual 
meeting a petition was presented to the town, stating the great 
need of a bridge i there and offering to build one without any 
expense to the town, should leave be granted. The following 
names were attached to the petition, viz :— 

Timothy Currier, Thomas Colby, Theoder Hoyt, 

Joseph Worthen, David Merrill, Elijah Morrill, 

Stephen Webster, Barnard Currier, Thomas Bagley, 

Samuel George, David Clough, Samuel Adams. 

Daniel Webster, 

What was done in regard to carrying out their proposition we 
hardly know, but presume that no bridge was built till a much 
later day. 

Joseph Bartlett petitioned for "three or four rods of the Bank 
at the lower end next to Pow river for to Build a Lime Kiln 
in order to burn lime," and his petition was granted. Nearly 
or quite all the lime used was made from clam shells boated 
from near the mouth of the river and burnt in several places 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 21 7 

at the Ferry. The lime was very strong and made durable, 
hard walls. 

The East parish records contain the following: "1750 then 
received of Ephraim Weed Eight pounds five shillings old tenor 
for the spindle of the meeting house." What this spindle was, 
there is nothing further to show. 

The Amesbury Friends contributed ^11 this year towards 
repairing the Boston meeting house. 

1751. 

The record is deficient this year, the annual meeting not 
being recorded on the book. 

William Challis being chosen constable, as he thought, before 
his turn, refused to take the oath and was fined £4. He gave 
his note, but his friends thought he had been badly treated 
and applied to the selectmen to call a town meeting to con- 
sider the matter, but were met with a refusal. Application 
was then made to a justice, who issued a call for a meet- 
ing. This meeting ordered the note given up, and the unpleas- 
ant affair was ended. 

The great event of the year was the change of the calendar 
by Parliament. The first day of January was made the begin- 
ning of the year in all future time. In the old style reckoning, 
January was the eleventh month and February the twelfth. 

Moses Sargent is captain of the second company and Rich- 
ard Kelley, lieutenant. The commission of the latter was signed 
by Lieut. -Governor Shirley July 18th, and is now in the posses- 
sion of Mr. Giles M. Kelley, a descendant. 

Theodore Hoyt and Thomas Colby petitioned the town to 
grant them a piece of land near Mr. Giddeon Lowell's wharf 
for a ship-yard and to set a workshop on. The other yards 
were occupied, no doubt, and here was a convenient place. 
The petition was granted. 

Jonathan Pierpont and John Hickey were school-masters this 
year. 

1752. 

The poor were provided for in the usual way at 2 s. per 
week, lawful money. Seventy pounds were raised for town 
expenses. 28 



2l8 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Rev. Elisha Odlin died in the early part of the year and his 
widow, Judith, was appointed administratrix of his estate. The 
parish voted her a present of ^20, which was paid in May. 
Mr. Odlin's ministry continued for about eight years. 

March 26th. The Second church gave letters of dismission 
to John Sargent and wife to Methuen. 

The funeral expenses of Rev. Mr. Odlin were paid by the 
East parish and amounted to £16, 3 s., 3 d. 

Rev. Mr. Wiburd supplied the pulpit most of the present 
year, Mr. Adams preaching a few times only. 

Josiah Bailey and John Hickey were school-masters this year. 

1753. 

The town voted that the schools might be kept in each par- 
ish where the inhabitants directed. For many years the town 
employed two male teachers, ( one for each parish ) but no 
mention is made of female teachers. If any were employed, 
it was, probably, in private summer schools. 

Another effort was made to recover the ferry "called Ames- 
bury Ferry," and Orlando Bagley was chosen to search the 
records in order to ascertain the condition of affairs in regard 
to it. Abner Whittier was chosen to petition the court of ses- 
sions to appoint some one to " keep y e Ferry near y e Powous 
rivers mouth and take bond of y e same person there being no 
person now licensed to keep s d Ferry." 

The landings were always carefully watched to prevent all 
encroachments, and this year Capt. Thomas Rowell, Orlando 
Bagley, Esq., and Capt. Jonathan Barnard were chosen to 
bound them anew and report the incumbrances thereon to the 
next meeting. These landings were important for lumbering, 
boating and fishing in these days. 

William Whittier was making bricks at the Buttonwood on 
the western end of the landing, and asked the town for an 
additional rod to dig clay on, and was granted his request dur- 
ing the pleasure of the town. By the present appearance of 
the premises, there must have been made a very great quantity of 
bricks in this yard, which were, probably, boated down river. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 219 

Dr. Robert Rogers died April 28th, and was buried at the 
Plain cemetery. He lived in the West parish and, probably, at 
the River village, and it may have been in the house owned and 
occupied for many years by the late David Sargent. 

Patience Weed ( Martin ) swept the East parish meeting 
house from 1745 to 1753. 

At this time there were several families of Kimballs living at 
the Pond, and we find the names of Abraham, Joseph, John 
and Widow Hannah on the tax list. The name in that vicinity 
has long since become extinct, but several old cellars are yet 
to be seen where they may have lived. 

The Friends have been greatly annoyed by the Brentwood 
people since the meeting was allowed there, and this year a 
complaint is made that " several persons, men and women are 
speaking at one time in your meetings also saluting each other 
men and women, old and young pretending it to be a kiss of 
charity — which will prove of ill consequences if you continue 
therein." The directing spirits of the meeting at Amesbury and 
Hampton were devoted to plain, sincere worship, and labored 
most faithfully to keep the order free from all corrupt influences. 
But theirs was a hard duty to perform, requiring great patience 
and much sound judgment. They were, however, increasing in 
numbers and establishing meetings in all the surrounding towns. 
But Brentwood's meeting was taken away for a while and, also, 
Stratham's. 

1754. 

A new clerk was chosen this year, probably from inability on 
the part of Orlando Bagley, Esq., who had served so faithfully 
for nearly forty-two years. 

Thomas Rowell, Esq., Capt. John Sargent and Jacob Bagley 
were chosen "to deliver the town books and other papers belong- 
ing to the town to the s d Thomas Bagley, without any cost 
to y e town." 

The town "voted to allow Capt. George Worthen, David 
Clough and Isaac Merrill fore and twenty shillings for looking 
over the town books and settling with y e ould constables." 

The General Court recently passed a law granting his Majesty 



2 20 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

certain excise duties, which was vetoed by the governor. The 
matter was laid before the annual meeting and the following 
appears on the record : — 

" At the same meeting y e bill was read intitled an act for 
granting to his Majesty excise upon wines & spirit distilled and 
sold by retail or consumed within this province, & upon limes, 
lemons and oranges, passed by the two houses in their session 
in May last & not consented to by y e governor when laid before 
him, & his excellency's speech thereon being read, and also 
after some dispute had thereon y e question was put whether it 
was y e minds of y e town y e afore s d bill should pass into a 
law, & it passed in y e negative ; also voted y e thanks of this 
town to his Excellency y e Governor for not giving his consent 
to y e aforesaid bill when laid before him." 

For once the royal governor was sustained by the voice of 
the people, and received their hearty thanks. 

The East parish having been without a settled minister for a 
while after the death of Mr. Odlin, were under the necessity of 
employing various ministers, but for some little time, Rev. 
Anthony Wibird. He was the first minister after Mr. Odlin's 
death, and though no account is found of his settlement, yet 
we find that it cost four pounds to dismiss him. He boarded 
with Mr. Odlin, according to two orders on the parish order 
book in 1752. The following is from the record: — 

"June the 1st, 1753. Ordered to pay John Wadlagh for Mr. 
Wibird's riding his horse to Portsmouth, — : 12: — " 

He was probably from Portsmouth, as were many of the can- 
didates. 

"April 29, 1754. Ordered to David Merrill for borden Mr. 
Wibird, 4 04 o." 

This order closes the record of Mr. Wibird's ministry, and it 
is probable that Mr. Hibbert was now in town, as in the latter 
part of the year he received an order as follows: — 

"December y e 26th, 1754. Ordered to Mr. Thomas Hibbert 
the sum of sixteen pounds, it being in full for his preaching 
with us till his ordination." 

Mr. Hibbert was from Kittery, Maine, and was without doubt 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 221 

an able young minister. The following ministers were employed 
subsequent to Mr. Odlin's death, and may have been candi- 
dates, viz. : Joseph Adams, Ebenezer Adams, Mr. Upham, Mr. 
White, Solomon Page, M. Parepaynt, Benjamin Butler and Mr. 
Feveryear. The price of a day's preaching was £1. 

The Amesbury monthly meeting in May accepted John Hunt- 
ington as a Friend. This is the first instance of any member 
by that name. 

1755. 

The selectmen were ordered to lay out a road from Barna- 
bus Bradbury's to Titcomb's landing. 

One hundred pounds was raised for public expenses. 

On the 1 8th of November there was a shock of an earth- 
quake, but there seems to have been but little damage done. 
Capt. Richard Kelly, in his diary, thus describes it : — 

ff 1755 November y e 18, it being Tuesday, about 4 o'clock 
in the morning was an exceeding shock of y e earthquake which 
shook nere as much as that in y e yere 1727, October 29, but 
y e noise was not so loud ; it continued a great while, I think 
the longest that ever I herd in all my life, & just as y e day 
brake there was another but nothing so hard as y e former, & 
I have herd it every day since to y e 2 2d day of s d month." 

The French and Indians were giving the Colonies trouble, 
and soldiers were called for to maintain the peace. 

The following men enlisted and went to Kennebec : — John 
Martin, Robert Ring, Bartholemew Perkins, Ephraim Hodgkins, 
Joseph Birrel ; and to Oswego, Bartholemew Perkins, Robert 
Ring, Ephraim Hodgkins, Samuel Colby, Jacob Chalks, jr. 

The following persons enlisted and went to "Minis :" — Timo- 
thy Sargent, jr., Benj. Ordway, Stephen Ordway, Isaac Foot, 
Ephraim Sargent, Peter Stevens, Joseph Burril, John Blasdell, 
Thomas Chase. 

The following went to Crown Point : — Capt. Stephen Sar- 
gent,* Thos. Clark, Timothy Colby, Matthias Hoyt, Thos. San- 
ders, Philip Sargent, Moses Pressey, Jacob Hoyt, Joseph Har- 
vey, Philip Hunt, Thomas Sargent " y e 3d," Jacob Harvey, True 

*Commander of a company. 



22 2 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Sargent, Joseph Nichols, James Sargent, Samuel Foot, Samuel 
Sargent, jr., Joseph Buswell, Thomas Hunt, Thomas Stevens, 
William Williams, Moses Davis, Ezekiel Davis, Gideon Colby. 

Several of the foregoing were in service through the Revolu- 
tionary war. 

1756. 

The French and Indians have grown troublesome on the 
western border, and continued calls are made for soldiers to 
recruit the army. The captains under the royal governors were 
frequently ordered to impress men when wanted, and this year 
Capt. George Worthen took such men as he pleased. There 
were a few Quakers in town and the following in his company 
mostly. In filling the ranks of his company he did not spare 
even Quakers. He said these were "in exact proportion for 
two to be impressed": — 

John Huntington, David Challis, Thomas Challis, 

John Huntington, jr., Joseph Pressey, Peleg Challis, 

Abner Jones, Ezekiel Jones, Jacob Weed. 

They were, probably, obliged to supply two substitutes. 

Captain Worthen and his company were in the service at 
Lake George and several of the men died there. John Cur- 
rier, (afterwards captain at Bunker Hill) learning that Capt. 
Worthen was intending to impress him, volunteered as lieuten- 
ant and served through the campaign. 

John Harvey died at Lake George August 18th, and one 
Currier, also, died there about the same time. 

The following men enlisted for Lake George from the Second 
foot company : Lieut. Thomas Stevens, Ensign Josiah Sargent, 
Bradbury Morrison, Charles Sargent, John Harvey, Sanders 

Bradbury, Wetherleys, Philip Wells, Peter Dow, jr., Joshua 

Currier. 

Orlando Bagley died May 3d. He was born December 14th, 
1682, as appears by a certified copy of his birth in his own 
hand-writing, dated 1749. The same paper contains his father's 
marriage to Sarah Sargent on the 2 2d of December, 1681. He 
was the grandson of Orlando Bagley, who married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Anthony Colby in 1653, probably. He was a schoolmas- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 223 

ter and was chosen to keep the town school in September, 
1 712, and on the 13th of October following was chosen town 
clerk in place of Thomas Currier, deceased, and served in that 
capacity for nearly forty-two years. He possessed fine business 
talent and grew in popularity as age came on. He served sev- 
eral years as selectman and held courts, officiating as trial jus- 
tice on many occasions. Wills and deeds of his writing are 
numerous, and his marriages for several years far exceeded 
those of the minister's, numbering one hundred in all. 

His penmanship was very good and easily read. He lived 
at the Pond hills, near the pound, as, no doubt, his father did. 
At his death, his farm passed to his son, Col. Jonathan Bagley, 
and by his will to his son Orlando, who may be remembered 
by some now living. He was nearly ten years of age when his 
father arrested and carried to "Salem village or farmes" Susan- 
nah Martin to be tried for her life. 

In 1755 General Braddock was sent out from England as 
commander-in-chief, with two regiments of troops, to plan and 
carry on the war between the colonies and French and Indians. 
Three principal expeditions were planned, one of which was 
destined against the settlements at the head of the Bay of 
Fundy. Col. Monston assumed command of the united troops 
at the scene of operations. Two forts were the only obstacles 
to be met, and these were soon reduced, thus throwing into 
the hands of the British the entire territory in that section. 
But now came a strange scene, which the world never witnessed 
before. The peaceable inhabitants were led to assemble in various 
places under false pretences to the number of twelve thousand, 
and some seven thousand of them were hurried on ship board 
and brought to the colonies. The country was nearly depopu- 
lated. These inoffensive people were, by order of the General 
Court, scattered among the towns to be by them supported. 
Hundreds of quiet homes were broken up at Arcadia, families 
separated to be united no more — many of these French people 
dying here. Several of them were quartered at Amesbury for 
some years, and provided for by the town. A house was 
hired for them and other expenses incurred, and among the 



224 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

items this year, Widow Esther Colby received 10 s. on their 
account. Probably but few of them ever reached home again. 
It was a black-hearted crime without the least justification. 

1757. 

One hundred and forty pounds were raised to defray the 
expenses of the town. 

The town was presented for not having a grammar school, 
according to law, and Thomas Rowell was chosen to appear 
"at y e next Court of General Sessions of y e peace to be holden 
at Salem," to answer in the case. 

Petitions for new roads .seem to have troubled the town at 
this time. No doubt they were needed, and generally, after 
much opposition, were obtained. 

July 2d. The East parish bought one acre and a half of 
land at Sandy hill, of Col. Jonathan Bagley, for a meeting-house 
lot. The price was £13, 6 s. 8 d. Since 1715 the meeting- 
house had stood on the corner near Geo. W. Bartlett's, (Edward 
Hunt's, then,) but a move was now made for its removal 
to the new lot at Sandy hill, which was more convenient for 
the Ferry and Mills. This measure was not carried into effect 
till 1 76 1. 

David Blasdell died this year, aged forty-six. He was a 
rather prominent man, more, perhaps, on account of his 
mechanical genius than otherwise. His clocks are still in exist- 
ence. He lived near Charles BlasdelFs, at Kendrick's lane, and 
his shop was in Mr. Blasdell's front yard. His business was 
really a little of everything : he made and repaired clocks, made 
and repaired augers, andirons, steelyards, gun locks, repaired tin 
and brass ware, shod horses, run spoons, forged iron-work for 
vessels, sold groceries, dry goods, meat, wood, made tow combs, 
owned cider mill, and made all kinds of nails, from shingle to 
double tens. He was selectman (chairman) in 1754, and sev- 
eral times assessor in the East parish. He was son of Jonathan 
and grandson of Henry, sen., and a more industrious or useful 
man is seldom found. His son, David, continued his business 
at the same location for many years. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 225 

May 10th. William Moulton and Stephen Sargent were chosen 
deacons of the Second church. 

Dec. 3d. William Rowell, David Sargent and wife, Thomas 
Fowler and wife, Henry Bagley and wife, Reuben Hoyt and 
wife, Christopher Rowell and wife, Widow Sarah Bartlett, Eliza 
Bartlett, Sarah Juell, Widow Ruth Merrill and Mary Juell were 
granted letters of dismission by the Second church, " in order to 
their being gathered with others into a church state at New- 
town, N. H." 

Richard Kelley was commissioned as captain of the "second 
foot company" in Amesbury, by Lieut. -Governor Phipps, March 
2 1 st. The commission is yet in good state of preservation, in 
the hands of Mr. Giles M. Kelley. 

To obtain recruits for the army under the Earl of Loudon 
was no easy task for Capt. George Worthen, and he found him- 
self under the necessity of using all the power conferred upon 
him by the royal governor. Accordingly he pressed into service 
such persons as he chose.* The following were accepted as 
substitutes for those who had been impressed, viz. : Jacob Chal- 
lis for Stephen Patten and Enoch Rogers, Philip Wells for 
Gideon Davis and his brother Francis, Isaac Challis for himself 
and Samuel Short, William Warran for Sergt. John Hoyt and 

Isaac Rogers, Walker for Isaac Merrill, Esq. ; Thomas 

Stone for Henry Blasdell, he being one-half for Samuel Silver, 
jr., and Abner Whittier the other half. John Currier (enlisted) 
as lieutenant. Jacob Pressy for himself and Benjamin Pilsbury. 
The foregoing were accepted by Col. Greenleaf, March 25 th. 

Aug. 15th. The following persons were drafted from the 
second foot company, viz. : John Kelly, Joshua Sargent, Joseph 
Colby, Sargent Huse, Roger Colby, Thomas Williams, Stephen 
Sargent, jr., Jonathan Moulton, Daniel Hoyt, Jonathan Clem- 
ents, Enoch Chase, jr., Ephraim Currier, jr., Benjamin Morse, 
Wells Chase, jr., Jonathan Kelly, 3d, David Currier, Enoch 
Nichols, Joseph Harvey, jr., Elliott Colby, Nathan Hoyt, Joseph 
Dow, jr., John Kendrick, Nehemiah Hadley, Christopher Sar- 
gent — 24. This was a very large draft from the West parish, 
*Capt. Kelley's diary. 
29 



2 26 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

and the East parish fared no better in this matter. Some of 
the foregoing procured substitutes. Wells Chase took the place 
of his son, Isaac Foot served for John Kendrick, Gideon Colby 
for Joseph Dow, jr. ; Orlando Sargent agreed to serve for Chris- 
topher Sargent, but hired Thomas Hunt ; and one Sidway served 
for Benjamin Morse. 

Aug. 1 6th. These men marched away to join the main army 
which Lord Loudon had been collecting to fight the French 
and Indians at the lakes. When arriving at Marlboro', near 
Worcester, they received news of the surrender of Fort William 
Henry to the French under Montcalm, and as all further opera- 
tions were suspended for the season, they were allowed to march 
home, where they arrived on the 20th. 

The alarm on the approach of the French spread like wild- 
fire through the Colonies, and great preparations were made 
early in the season to avoid the threatened danger. Col. Green- 
leaf issued his instructions to his regiment (or the several cap- 
tains) to have their companies ready to march at a minute's 
warning. Amunition was procured for each company. Capt. 
George Worthen's company was supplied with 1 barrel of pow- 
der, 3400 bullets and 200 flints, and Capt. Kelley's with 1 bar- 
rell of powder, 3500 bullets and 200 flints. Although those 
precautionary measures were taken in May, yet but little was 
done until August, and then it was too late to prevent the suc- 
cess of the French. Soldiers, as already stated, were again 
called and pressed into the king's service, but without retrieving 
the losses already sustained. 

Benjamin Hoag petitioned for leave to dig clay from the bank 
of the river near his house, to make bricks, and was granted 
the privilege. 

1758. 

The only poor persons provided for by the town this year 
were Hannah Bedel, Hannah Fowler and Widow Hookley. 

William Bayley having contracted to build a large ship at the 
Ferry, asked the town for a grant of some land near "the 
stern of his ship of one rod," and his request was readily 
granted. The reason which he gave for asking this favor was 
that "from Ins yard is sumthing difficult to launch." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 227 

The French people mentioned in 1756 were now living in 
Capt. Jonathan Barnard's house, but were ordered to remove to 
some place in the West parish. These persecuted people were 
strangers in a strange land, and their lives were little better than 
wasted, but the town was compelled to keep them. 

The selectmen were allowed four pounds for their services. 

Deer occasionally strayed into town, and a "deer reef" was 
annually chosen to protect them from harm. 

The boundary line between Amesbury and Haverhill was per- 
ambulated, and the ancient bound at Holt's rock and at Brandy 
Brow found and renewed. 

Lord Loudon again collected his forces to subdue the French, 
and was furnished with seven thousand men by Massachusetts. 
Capt. Kelley's company by enlistment furnished Matthias Hoyt, 
Enoch Chase, jr., Sargent Huse, Jacob Hoyt, John Harvey, jr., 
Charles Sargent, jr., Ezra Hoyt, Elliot Colby, John Blaisdell, 
Philip Sargent, Isaac Challis, Thomas Sargent, 3d, Isaac Sar- 
gent, Benj. Sargent, David Ring, Stephen Sargent, jr., Pasky 
Foot, Henry Williams, Roger Colby and Elijah Blaisdell. 

Enlisted into Capt. McCurda's rangers for Cape Breton : 
Gideon Colby, Benjamin Ordway, Thomas Hunt, David Cur- 
rier, Sanders and Bradbury. 

Dec. 3d. The following persons received dismission from 
the Second church to form a church at Newton, N. H., viz. : 
William Rowell, David Sargent and wife, Thomas Fowler and 
wife, Henry Bagley and wife, Reuben Hoyt and wife, Christo- 
pher Rowell and wife, Widow Sarah Bartlett, Eliza Bartlett, 
Sarah Jewell and Widow Ruth Merrill. 

1759. 

The roads were to be repaired by a rate, and the wages were 
to be "for each man two shillings a day — for each man and 
yoke of oxen three shillings and six pence — and for each man, 
yoke of oxen and cart or plow, four shillings." The sum of 
^40 was raised for this purpose. Every man was to have the 
privilege of working out his tax. 

At a town meeting held in October, £60 were raised for the 
expenses of the town. 



2 28 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Doctor Aaron Sawyer received 12 s., 10 d., for attendance on 
Susannah Goodwin, a poor woman. 

The French and Indian war continued to be a source of 
trouble, and quite a large delegation of Amesbury men went 
to Lake George, either as soldiers or laborers. 

I find among Col. Jonathan Bagley's papers the following 
account of men who worked on the batteaux at the lakes : — 
"col. willard's regiment. 



Philip Colby, 


8 days, 


George Warthing, 


8 days, 


Ezra Jewell, 


3 " 


Henry Trussell, 


7 


c 


Sarg Adonijah Colby, 


3 " 


Peltiah Hoyt, 


5 


i 


Sarg Theoder Hoyt, 


8 " 


Thomas Hoyt, 


7 


i 


Sarg Gideon Lowell, 


9 " 


Joseph Hadlock, 


9 


i 


Elijah Colby, 


<7 " 
/ 


Theophilus Gould, 


7 


£ 


Thomas Colby, 


8 " 


Robert Gould, 


8 


I 


in Col Lovell's Reg. 




Benjamin Badger, 


7 


i 11 



As soldiers, were Nathan Kimball, Richard Currier, Enoch 
Flanders, Daniel Flanders, William Hoyt, Page Ring, Jonathan 
Hunt, Moses Molton and a son of Abner Currier. These were 
in Capts. Sikes and Bayly's companies. 

Barnabus Bradbury built a school-house for the West parish 
and was paid ;£n, 17 s., 4 d., lawful money, for the same. 

Timothy Heath, Sargent Heath and Isaac Rogers were abated 
their minister's tax, they being churchmen. 

1760. 

Fifty pounds were raised to repair the highways, an increase 
of ten pounds over last year. Sixty pounds were raised for 
town expenses. 

" Voted to allow y e selectmen twenty dollars for their services 
y e present year." 

This is the first mention of dollars on record. 

William Whittier petitioned for leave to set a house on the 
Buttonvvood landing, asking for a strip three rods wide to the 
river, for that purpose, stating that but little lumber was now 
brought there. A committee was chosen to view the premises 
and lay out the lot as they might think proper, he paying them 
for their trouble. The committee, after viewing the premises, 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 229 

reported that it was attended with so much difficulty that it be 
referred to the next annual meeting. Mr. Whittier had leave in 
1747 to set up a brick-yard there, and had no doubt done so, 
making more or less bricks every year, as the large excavation 
shows, and now wishes to build on the ground. The final result 
is not known. 

For the first time the selectmen were required to make out 
a list of jurors and lay it before the town for acceptance. From 
this list the meeting selected such names as were thought best 
for the Superior Court, and placed them in a box. Another 
selection was made for the Inferior Court, and placed in a 
second box. These boxes were locked, and when a juror was 
wanted the clerk took them to town meeting and one of the 
selectmen drew out, as wanted, one or more. 

The small pox made its appearance in town, causing very gen- 
eral alarm among the people. Precautionary measures were 
taken by providing two pest-houses, one at the west end and 
one at the east end of the town. Widow Sarah Currier's house 
was taken at the West parish, and Daniel Martin's at the East 
parish. Ichabod March was chosen special constable at the 
west end and Eliphalet Martin at the east end, " to take good 
care and see to the people that have the small pox and to 
press nurses necessary for the help and support of those sick, 
if need be, and to remove them into houses that the town have 
provided for that purpose." 

Daniel Martin lived on a "little knowl" near Martin's bridge, 
and probably the Widow Currier lived in some retired spot in 
the West parish. 

The selectmen were ordered to take care of "idle persons" 
and not allow them to "squander away their estate." 

A committee was chosen to devise some plan for the man- 
agement of the poor, and report at the next annual meeting. 

Dec. 1 6th. A town meeting was held, and after choosing 
David Merrill, moderator, adjourned " to y e Widow Esther Colby, 
Innholder in Amesbury." This was a famous resort, and busi - 
ness always seemed to go better after being refreshed by some 
of the widow's excellent flip. On this occasion ^16 were added 
to the sum raised for town expenses. 



23O HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

A separate tax was assessed, by order of the General Court, 
on the Quakers, amounting to ^76, 13 s. 4 d., and the follow- 
ing is a list of those taxed : — Ebenezer Currier, Peleg Challis, 
David Challis, Thomas Challis, John Huntington, Abner Jones, 
Ezekiel Jones, Aaron Rowell, Joseph Pressy, Jacob Weed, John 
Huntington, jr., Jonathan Reed, Daniel Hoage. 

The following document is found in the clerk's office : — 

"Amesbury, March 17th, 1760. 

We, the subscribers, have each of us Respectively Received In 
full of our wages for service as Soldiers in Cap 1 Sikes' Company 
and Cap 1 Bayly's Companys, In the year 1759. Recv d the same 
of Leu 1 John Currier, as witness our hands. 

Richard Currier, Nathan Kimball, Enoch Flanders, 
Daniel Flanders, William Hoyt, his 

Jonathan Hunt* Moses Motion, -Pag? X Ring. 

mark. 

The following deposition may be of interest as throwing some 
light on the treatment of soldiers in the old French and Indian 
war : — 

"The Deposition of Enoch flanders of Amesbury and Daniel 
flanders of Salsbury both in y e County of Essex & province of 
y e Massachusetts bay, of Lawfull age, testifieth & saith that we 
Inlisted our selves as Soldiers in y e year 1759, under Capten 
Richard Seiks that we went up to lake george at Albany 
we each of us Received a province arme & we went up to 
y e forte at y e narrows & did Duty under General Amherst, & on 
our Return home when we came to Still water we had each of 
us our armes with us but by the order of y e chief ofnsser of 
y e forte at y e s d Still water, Each of our armes wear taken 
from us s d offisser as we wear told was a leu 1 & we wear 
told his name was mecains & he gave us no Receipt for said 
armes & further says not. 

Dated at Amesbury, February y e 27, 1760. 

Enoch Flanders, 
Daniel Flanders.' 1 '' 

The foregoing was sworn to before Isaac Merrill, Justice of 
Peace. 

* Probably Huntington. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 23 1 

Government had agreed to find the soldiers guns, which they 
were to retain on leaving service, and the above was a breach 
of trust. Many others received similar treatment. 

1761. 

Eighty-five pounds were raised to defray town expenses and 
sixty pounds to repair highways. 

The representative was instructed to petition the General 
Court, in connection with other towns, for the removal of the 
July term of the court from Salem to Ipswich, and one of the 
Ipswich courts to Newbury. 

Deacon William Moulton, Capt. Jonathan Barnard and Lieut. 
Timothy Hoyt, with the selectmen, were chosen to examine the 
accounts concerning the "small pock." 

The small-pox still lingered in town, and Ichabod March and 
Eliphalet Martin were again chosen special constables to have 
charge of this department. At a meeting held in May it was 
"voted to provide a house to receive such persons as may or 
shall have the small pock in said town." And it was, also, 
"voted to erect a house immediately on Coll Bagleys land near 
Red Oak hill so called to receive those sick." 

Abner Currier, Daniel Nichols and Enoch Sargent were chosen 
to build the house. 

"Voted the Selectmen hire fifty dollars to pay off those per- 
sons demands for nursing those persons with the small pock." 

Widow Sarah Currier, whose house was taken last year for a 
pest-house, received ,£25 for boarding and nursing small-pox 
patients. 

Obadiah Badger having a blacksmith's shop standing partly 
on the road and partly on the land of Aaron Rowell at Row- 
ell's corner, and being obliged to move it, asked leave to move 
it a little farther into the road, he buying land of Tristram 
Barnard on the opposite side for the road, and was allowed to 
do so "during the towns pleasure." This location was on 
Friend street, near Isaac Barnard's. 

The most important event of the year was the pulling down 
of the meeting house at the parsonage, which was built in 1 715, 
and its removal to Sandy hill, where, as already stated, a lot 



232 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

was bought in 1757. Having stood forty-six years, it was des- 
tined to be enlarged and improved in its internal and external 
parts. As built in 1 715, it was forty-five by thirty-five feet, a 
plain structure, probably without much ornamental finish. When 
rebuilt this year it was very much larger, and although a plain 
building, with the exception of a porch on the west end, yet, 
no doubt, it was of a better finish than formerly. It was no 
small job to build a large house when every nail, bolt and 
hinge was made by hand, from the spike to the fine nails that 
fastened the shingles to the roof. It was barely possible for a 
smart workman to make five hundred small nails in a day. 
David Blasdell, who made many of the nails, in his diary says 
he made that number one day. The church was very heavily 
timbered, as those who used to listen to the preaching there 
will remember. Many times, when a boy, I have wondered 
where the trees could come from, some fifty feet long and fif- 
teen inches square, which supported the galleries on three sides 
of the house. Such oaks are seldom found in this vicinity 
now. 

The sounding-board above the pulpit was then to me a great 
curiosity, especially the eagle which surmounted it with his wide- 
spread wings. Tradition says that when taken down some of 
the timber was split into smaller dimensions, which alarmed some 
of the people so that they hardly dared to go to meeting. Had 
they lived at the present day their fears might have been 
reasonable, but a building so faithfully timbered as the old 
church could hardly blow down. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 233 

We give, below, the bill of David Blasdell, who assisted in pull- 
ing down the old house and building the new one : 
"What I have Dun towards the meeting house — 

by half a Days work going to Newbry, oo 10 o 

to two Days work a bording, 02 oo o 
to three Days work building the stages 

and shing., 03 00 o 

to Oliver Blasdells Days work, 01 02 6 

to a thousand and a half of shingle, 06 00 o 

to hundred and a half Duble tenes, 00 18 o 

to one Days work of shingling, 01 00 o 

to one Days work shingling, 01 00 o 

to cash to git sum paint, 01 02 6 

to two-thirds of Days work, 01 00 o 

to half a Days work a making stages, 00 10 o 

to a thousand clabords nales, 02 00 o 

to five Days work of Oliver Blasdell, 05 12 6 

to five hundred of Duble tens, 02 15 o 

to cash to git som glas, 04 10 o 

to Ribits for the outer Dour, 00 16 o 

to forty springs for the windows, 07 00 o 
to two Days work a puling Down the old 

meeting house, 02 00 o 

to half a Days work making the seats, 00 10 o 

to a Days work a puting the gise in, 01 00 o 

to mend a chane, 00 03 o 



44 03 6 
after I carried count in — to a bolt for the outer Dors, 1 10 o." 

The above is as found on Mr. Blasdell's account book, the 
ancient spelling being retained. 

Last year a committee was chosen to consider what should 
be done with poor, idle and lazy persons. The need of an 
almshouse or some similar establishment had long been felt, 
the custom of boarding at the cheapest place giving very poor 
satisfaction to all parties. On the 19th day of February the 
committee made the following report to the town : — 

40 



234 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

"After some consideration on s d affair, we are unanimously 
agreed that it is best for the town, as soon as may be, to Pro- 
vide some proper place for the reception of all such poor, idle, 
or lazy persons as in the judgment of the overseers of the poor 
of s d town shall judge ought to be sent there ; and they are 
also further of opinion that there be overseers of the poor yearly 
chosen ; and are further of opinion that some one person or 
persons be chosen and appointed as master or overseer of 
s d house, and there be received under his care all such parsons 
as shall be sent to him by the overseers of the poor, and to 
take care that such parsons be well imployed in such business 
as he shall think proper ; and are also of opinion that the over- 
seers of the poor provide such materall as the master or over- 
seer of s d house shall judge necessary for imploying all such 
parsons as shall be committed to his care, he giveing a receipt 
for all such materialls as he shall receive, and likewise that he 
yearly render particular account to the s d overseer of each and 
every one of there joining, as well as an account of what charge 
he has been at ; also that the overseers of the poor lay there 
accounts of the whole before the town yearly. All which is 
most humbly submitted." 

Signed by Thos. Rowell, Stephen Bartlett, jr., Ephraim Weed, 
Wm. Moulton, Stephen Sargent, David Merrill, John Bagley, 
committee. 

This report was accepted, but was never carried out further 
than to choose some citizen to receive those persons named 
in the report. It was a well-digested plan, submitted by some 
of the most prominent men in town, and ought to have been 
put into operation. 

July 7th was observed as a day of fasting and prayer by the 
Second church, by reason of the drought. [Church record.] 

1762. 

A committee was chosen to view the town's landings and 
renew the bounds, and, also, to view a piece of land petitioned 
for by Theodore Hoyt for a ship-yard on Powow river. The 
committee bounded out a strip four rods wide to high water 
mark, and the town confirmed their action, he paying £,6 law- 
ful money and keeping the bank wall in repair. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



2 35 



Mr. Hoyt was a ship-builder and had many years previous 
built the house ( about 1736) now occupied by his descendant, 
Mr. Enoch Hoyt, at the Ferry. This is one of the oldest 
houses in town. 

Sixty pounds were raised for the repairing of highways and 
one hundred and thirty pounds for town expenses. 

After making provision for several of the poor, it was "voted 
that the Selectmen have the care of the Widow Mattes and to 
dispose of her in sickness and in health at the cheapest rate." 
No doubt sometimes the poor fell into selfish hands and 
received rough treatment. 

Widow Timothy Colby offended the town by some means, 
and it was "voted that Mr. Barnabus Bradbury, Lieut. John 
Hoyt and John Sawyer be a Comm" to go to y e widow of 
Timothy Colby, now wife of Isaac Colby, and notefye her to 
take of that house that stands on y e Landing place called Cot- 
tells Landing emedately or to show her strength in order for a 
trial in y e law and make report of their and her proceedings at 
the May meeting." 

The bounds of the Ferry road were rectified as follows : 
"Commencing at the corner at land formerly owned by John 
Bartlett ( recently owned by the late Joseph Bartlett ) and 
thence southerly to the land of Aquila Worthen, thence to a 
stone by Obadiah Colby's land, thence to an elm tree near the 
north-west corner of a shop belonging to the heirs of Joseph 
Bartlett, thence to a stone eight feet southerly of Stephen Bart- 
lett's shop, thence to the south-easterly corner of Jacob Bag- 
ley's barn, thence to a stone two rods and six feet from the 
house built by James Herbert, thence to a stone one rod and 
a half from Gideon Lowell's house, thence to a stone where 
was the easterly corner of a log house, and thence from where 
the block house was to a stone two rods and two feet from the 
south-east corner of Timothy Currier's house, and from there to 
the river." 

The "Log House" mentioned in 17 19 was gone, but its loca- 
tion was not forgotten. 

Samuel George bought an hour-glass for the East parish pul- 



236 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

pit, for which he paid 1 s., 4 d., and Samuel Blasdell made a 
"settle at the pulpit for the hour glass to stand in." 

Nathaniel Weed, belonging to the society of Friends, enlisted 
this year and was denied by them. 

1763. 

Again the subject of a union workhouse was brought up, and 
the selectmen were ordered to consult with Salisbury in regard 
to the plan, but met with no encouragement in that direction. 
The long-cherished union workhouse of Amesbury met with no 
encouragement from adjoining towns, although it deserved a bet- 
ter fate. Finding no other resource, the selectmen were 
instructed to hire a house for the town poor. The system of 
selling the poor had evidently come into bad repute, and the 
people were determined to abolish it. To obtain a house was, 
however, no easy matter, and in September the meeting chose 
a special committee to procure a location in some convenient 
place and remove the frame of the pest-house from Red Oak 
hill to that spot, for a poor-house. 

It does not appear, however, that even this plan was carried 
into effect. 

Feb. nth. The Second church, having but one deacon, 
chose Thomas Rowell, Nathan Currier and John Hoyt, 
deacons. 

1764- 

At the annual meeting it was decided to remove the ferry 
from Savages' rock to Sargent's creek, and Robert Sargent who 
lived close by, was chosen ferryman. 

The meeting raised ^"200 for town expenses and to meet a 
deficiency in the county tax of 1763. 

An attempt was made to get a road laid out from near Peter 
Sargent's to the Merrimac river, but the committee sent to view 
the way reported unfavorably, and the town refused to grant 
the petition. This way was substantially the same as the way 
now known as School street, from Sargent's hall to Merrimac- 
port. 

1765. 

This year the selectmen were to be assessors and treasurers 
with a salary of £4. Willis Patten and Joseph Goodwin were 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 237 

chosen to " prevent the fishing in Merrimack river on unlawful 
days." 

"Voted to give William Moulton 13 s. per week old tenor 
for keeping Elizabeth Nichols one year coming he to find her 
clothing and move her to his house." 

"Voted to give Josiah Sargent $17 to keep Jacob Hoyt, son 
of Jacob hoyt dis d to the age of twenty one years and learn 
him a wavers trade." There were persons who made it a spec- 
ial business to weave to supply the wants of those who either 
had no looms or did not wish to make their own "home spun" 
cloth, and it was quite an object to be a good weaver. 

A rate of ^"150 was ordered to defray town charges. 

The town voted to take care of Peter Dulosh and wife, living 
at the Highlands, where he had a small house and a few acres 
of land. He was, probably, a French Canadian, and may have 
been taken prisoner in the French and Indian wars, although 
that is not certain. He married Sarah Davis in 1 730, and in 
his old age was unable to support himself and wife. He pro- 
fessed to having some knowledge of the mining business, and 
on examining the premises of Moses Tuxbury, sen., at the Pond, 
said there was "a quarter of an acre there very valuable" for 
minerals. 

A movement was made looking to the regulation of the width 
of sleds, as the following document shows : — 

"Whereas the sleds that are generally used in this town are 
so Narrow that many Inconveniences attend the same upon 
many accounts which those that are used to Sleding Know very 
well and that if they were four feet & two inches in wedth 
and the Town would agree to make them that wedth it would 
be better for many & a Damage to None and many have been 
Desirous in other towns as well as this that the sleds may be 
mad wider. 

Therefore we the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of 
amesbury Desire the Moderator of this annual meeting assem- 
bled this Eleventh Day of March 1765 that it may be put to 
vote that the Town might shew their minds whether the sleds 
for the future be four feet & two inches from outside to out- 



238 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

side. And you will oblige your petitioners as In Duty Bound 
Shall Ever Pray. 

Dated Amesbury March 8th 1765. 
to the Moderator to be communicated. 

George Wathen William Hoyt jr 

Nehemiah Davis Thomas Hoyt 

Elijah Clough David Challis 

Joseph Pressey Ephraim Weed 

Nathaniel Weed Jonathan Bagley 

John Huntington Jacob Weed 

Moses Goodwin Orlando Sargent 

Moses Currier Samuel Shepherd 

John Currier Daniel Quinby 

David Hoyt Daniel Jones 

Thomas Hoyt." 
This move was approved by the town, and how much good 
resulted the reader must judge. 

Theophilus Gould was a blacksmith at the Ferry and owned 
a house, but had no land for his shop to stand on, and so peti- 
tioned the town for a piece near Col. Jonathan Bagley's "lime 
kiln." The exact location of this lime kiln cannot be deter- 
mined, but there was one or more on the banks of the Powow 
river, where clam-shell lime was made to supply the wants of 
the early settlers. 

1766. 

The annual meeting was adjourned from the Sandy Hill meet- 
ing house to Widow Esther Colby's, to meet on the next Fri- 
day. The widow's inn was an attractive place from some cause, 
and an excellent place to transact business. 

Mr. Samuel Shepherd received the thanks of the town "for 
his good service he did the town in respect of the poore." 
Mr. Shepherd had relieved the town in some measure of care 
about the poor, by keeping quite a number of them on his farm 
at White Hall, a little south of Joseph Mason's residence. The 
old house was standing since the memory of some now living, 
although a very ancient building. It was of the old style, 
boarded without and within, (no plastering) lined between with 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 239 

bricks to stop the balls of the Indians. There were no win- 
dows above, but boards to take down when needed. Its huge 
chimney presented a faint attempt at ornamentation in the shape 
of fluted work or imitation of pillars, which was something 
unusual in those days. It had, no doubt, served the family for 
several generations. The location was a very pleasant one, 
affording a fine view of the surrounding country for many miles. 

The old gentleman was somewhat peculiar, and at one time 
entertained the singular notion that he was not taxed sufficiently, 
and so informed the selectmen. He told them that he owned 
a large tract of land running to the Powow river, and it was 
undervalued. The result of the complaint is not known. 

Ship building on the river was now an important branch of 
business, and many of the small crafts were employed in fish- 
ing at the eastward or trading in the West Indies. To show 
the terms upon which hands were engaged, the following agree- 
ment is inserted : — 

"Amesbury April 17 1766. 

That Jona Bagley & Isaac Randall Doth hereby Agree with 
and hir David Blasdell to goe a fishing voyage on the Schooner 
Dolly & Ann at and for the wages of six Doller per Month 
and Ten Dollar p r Each thousand of Coddfish caught by him 
on the Outer banks and Ten Doller for every Twenty four quali- 
ties caught Else where. Said Bagley & Randall to find said 
Blasdell Boots Barrel Lines hooks Leads provisions &c and one 
gal Rum Each fair. 

Jona Bagley & Isaac Randall. 
David Blasdell." 

At the May meeting the old bone of contention was again 
introduced, which had occasioned so much trouble with Capt. 
Hook. A committee was chosen to inquire in regard to the 
ferry. 

At a meeting held in September, " it was voted that the town 
would proceed to recover the Ferry at law ;" but the matter 
was left without such action as would enforce its determination. 

Dec. 1 st. A meeting was held for the special purpose of 
choosing a committee "to proceed in the law for the recover- 



24O HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ing of the towns right to the Ferry called Amesbury Ferry." 
The income of this ferry must, at this time, have been consid- 
erable or there would have been no such fierce contention for 
its control. It was in a direct line from Kingston and other 
neighboring towns, when en route for Newbury, and was, no 
doubt, doing considerable business. The town has always 
claimed and rightfully, without doubt, the ownership of this 
ferry. 

Jacob Weed and his son Nathaniel, living at the Buttonwood 
and owning the farm since owned and occupied by the late 
Jonathan Morrill, Esq., sold and removed to Oblong, N. H., 
this year. They were Friends and removed to join the new 
settlement there. The farm was sold to William Bayley for 
,£390, and was subsequently known as the "Bayley farm" for 
nearly three-fourths of a century. 

1767. 

Sixty pounds were raised to repair the highways and two 
shillings per day were allowed for work. 

At the annual meeting it was "Voted to fence the Burying 
ground near the middle of the town with a good stone wall 
and to give three shillings a rod and Isaac Merrill Esq, Orlando 
Sargent and Ephraim Weed is a committee to see that it be 
done." This wall was thoroughly re-built about thirty years 
ago, and since the division of the town has received a nice 
cap piece, making a good, substantial fence. 

The ferry again seems to give the town some trouble, and a 
committee was chosen "to petition to y e Gen 11 Court for a 
explanation of a grant of a Ferry over Merrimack River near 
Mr Goodwins house made to the town of Amesbury by y e Gen- 
arall Court in 1668." 

This year it was decided to send the French people back to 
Canada, and fifteen dollars were given them to help them on 
their way. They had been kept prisoners for eleven years, to 
the shame of the colony. 

Moses Chase petitioned for a piece of the town's land under 
the bank, near the Powow river at the Ferry, and a committee 
was chosen to consider the matter. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 24 1 

The committee reported favorably and he was granted a 
piece thirty feet square, for which he agreed to pay 30 s. and 
keep the bank wall in repair. He was a hatter by trade and 
stated that he could not get a suitable place to build a shop 
on. This is the first intimation of the manufacture of hats in 
Amesbury. At present the business is of vital importance to 
this section of the town. 

Merchant Cleaves, who was a tailor living at the mills near 
the Dr. Sparhawk place, also, petitioned for a lot next that 
granted Moses Chase to set a tailor's shop on, and his petition 
was granted. The Ferry was much the largest place at this 
time on account of ship building, fishing and the West India 
trade. A century has reversed the order of things and very 
nearly annihilated the business of those days. 

June 24th. A tax was laid on paper, glass, painter's colors, 
teas and various other articles by Parliament, which caused very 
great dissatisfaction in the colonies and finally led to open 
resistance. Of course this act was even more obnoxious than 
the act of the General Court in 1754, laying an excise duty on 
certain articles, when the town thanked the governor for his 
veto. 

1768. 

A school-house had been built at the Ferry and the town 
"Voted that y e building set up for a school house near Capt. 
William Bayleys barn may stand there during y e towns pleas- 
ure." This location was, probably, near the spot on which the 
brick school-house was subsequently built. 

William Challis, late collector, seems not to have paid over 
all the taxes, and the selectmen were instructed to see to it 
immediately. It was a difficult matter to collect taxes in these 
days when money was scarce, and no wonder that the collec- 
tors were always behind in their accounts. 

March 28th. A town meeting was held to consider various 
matters, but without proceeding to business adjourned to "Widow 
Esther Colbys immediately." This was a good place to hold 
meetings, especially when an animated discussion was required 
to settle some knotty question. And there seems to have been 

3 1 



242 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

one peculiarly hard of solution before the meeting : At this 
time a widow Mariner had turned up, causing quite an excite- 
ment, some pitying her, some holding her as a nuisance, and 
the question was how to get rid of her. Some proposed treat- 
ing her as a "vagerbond," others thought better of her and 
deemed that rough treatment. She evidently had friends and 
determined enemies in town, as the following shows : — 

"It was put to vote whether y e Widow Martha Merener now 
being in this town be proceeded with as a vagerbond and passed 
in the negative — and it was put to vote whether that vote 
should be reconsidered and passed on the affirmative." 
' "And it was put to vote whether y e town would support her 
as one of the poor of the town and passed on y e negative. 
The last vote on Record reconsidered." 

"Voted that the town take care of y e Widow Marraner and sup- 
port her as one of their own poor then the Meeting adjourned 
by a vote to Tuesday y e 5 th day of April next at three of 
y e clock in y e afternoon at the East Meeting house in said 
town." 

The meeting assembled, on the appointed day and "It was 
put to vote whether the last vote on record be reconsidered 
and passed on y e affirmative." 

" And at y e same meeting it was voted that y e Selectmen 
proceed with y e said Widow Marraner as a vagerbond." So 
the poor woman was condemned and the excitement died 
away. 

At the representative meeting in May it was "Voted to give 
Henry Blasdell twenty four dollars to keep and support that 
melotee child now at Deacon Curriers while she arrives to law- 
ful age and to clothe her and to learn her to read and to have 
the said twenty four dollars within three years that is to say 
eight dollars per year three years." 

^120 were raised for town charges the present year. 

At a meeting held in September a committee was chosen to 
settle with all the constables and report to the annual meeting. 

At this meeting a petition was received from Ichabod March 
for a grant of twenty rods of land on the corner of the parson 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 243 

age where the old meeting house stood, and the town granted 
the petition. This was on the corner of the Martin road oppo- 
site the house of the late Joseph Merrill, and the house was 
standing within the memory of old persons now living. The 
cellar is now but partially filled up. 

Vallentine Colby petitioned for and was allowed his. school 
money to hire his children schooled. He lived within a few 
rods of the house of the late Peter Colby, and there was no 
school within several miles in town. 

Jan. 15th. A slight shock of an earthquake was felt. 

The subject of sending a "committee to set on the Conven- 
tion at Boston" was before the September meeting, and "after 
reading and considering the papers and disputed on it was voted 
in the negative." 

This convention was called to consult upon constitutional 
measures to obtain redress of the numerous grievances. The 
convention petitioned the governor, assured him of their loyalty, 
although deprecating standing armies, etc., and recommended 
patience and good order to the people. 

Amesbury, after due consideration, was of the opinion that 
but little, if anything, would be accomplished by this move, and 
declined taking any part in the convention. 

1769. 

There were very few school-houses in town and private houses 
were often used for that purpose. This year the town voted 
that each parish should designate the places where the schools 
should be kept. 

A sad event occurred on the 16th of April, or the night of 
the 15th, by the upsetting of two boats on the bar. From the 
settlement of the town to the present time, fishing in open boats 
had been largely practiced and had supplied an important arti- 
cle of diet. At this time, four men went down the river and 
over the bar, thinking to obtain a good fare during the moon- 
light evening, as the people had always done before ; but what 
their success was we shall never know, as in company with 
another boat on their return they were swamped on the bar. 
It is probable that a sudden change of weather had taken 



244 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

place, rendering the bar rough and impassable. Philip Gould, 
John Gould, Samuel Blaisdell and Moses Currier were drowned 
and thus suddenly cut off from friends and homes. 

Philip Gould was the son of Philip and Hannah Gould and 
was about thirty-two years old ; John Gould was the son 
of Elihu and Martha Gould and was about thirty-four years oldj 
Samuel Blaisdell was the son of Samuel and Hannah Blaisdell 
and was about thirty-five years old, and Moses Currier was, 
probably, the son of Moses and Rhoda Currier and was about 
thirty-one years old. Of these young men little is known ; but, 
no doubt, they were industrious, hard-working persons, leaving 
many friends to mourn their loss. 

For many years wars have been continually going on and 
every year soldiers from Amesbury have been in the King's 
service. 

This year we find a document which may serve to show the 
customs of the times to some extent : — 

"June y e :i2 :176c). 

then Received of Leut John Currier y e thorteen Doler 
which is for our Bileten from the time of our inlistment until 
the Dat a Bove we Say Received 

By us William Lowell 

Daniel Shepherd 
Benjamin Sawyer." 

The above was for their board until called into actual ser- 
vice. 

1770. 

Valentine Colby received 6 s. for notifying town officers. 

Peter Dulosh, the aged Frenchman already mentioned, was this 
year chargeable to the town, and the selectmen took the income 
of his land at the Highlands for his support. 

Capt. Jonathan Barnard died before the close of the year 
and Jonathan Bagley was chosen representative in his stead. 
Capt. Barnard had filled many important offices in town, hav- 
ing been selectman eight years and chairman the first year he 
was chosen. He was the son of Samuel and Ann Barnard and 
was born July 8th, 1702. It is probable that he was a grand- 
son of Thomas and Helen Barnard. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 245 

The tax of Amesbury imposed by the colony was ^93, 4 s., 
3 d., this year. The warrant of the royal treasurer, Harrison 
Gray, was sent to " John Currier Constable or Collector of 
Amesbury," and is now among his papers in a good state of 
preservation. The great seal of the "Province of Massachu- 
setts Bay " is attached, and it is really an imposing document. 

The Second church this year proposed using the "new ver- 
sion of the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts now annexed." 

1771. 

An address to the governor was ordered at the May meeting 
and Jonathan Bagley, Esq., Thomas Rowell, Esq., and Isaac 
Merrill, Esq., were chosen to prepare the document. What 
purpose this address was designed to answer, the record does 
not show ; but it, no doubt, was to set forth some complaint 
and ask redress of the royal governor. The beginning of stir- 
ring times is at hand ; the people are heartily tired of British 
rule and every new encroachment upon their rights calls forth 
a determined remonstrance. 

Eli Gale petitioned the town for a "place to set me a Black 
Smith Shop on "near taylor Cleaves' shop, very handy to my 
house," upon the bank of " Powwo " river. The matter was 
referred to a committee and reported upon favorably. He was 
allowed twenty-five feet on the road, beginning six feet from 
Merchant Cleaves' shop and extending back sixty feet, he pay- 
ing the town 4 s. annual rent. 

Timothy Barnard was allowed to build a wharf at the land- 
ing at the mills on the flats at the foot of the falls, opposite 
the saw pit, to lay lumber on. It is probable that he was a 
ship- builder and needed this extra room to deposit his timber 
and plank. 

William Hudson Ballard 'is captain of the Ferry military com- 
pany. He built the house now owned by John Huntington at 
the Ferry. 

Rev. Joseph Currier, of Amesbury, was this year ordained 
over the church at Goffstown, N. H. He is, probably, the 
one who kept school in town in the years 1764-5. 

A complete invoice of the West parish taken this year has 



246 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

been preserved, and is valuable, as showing to some extent the 
amount of property and industrial interests. The total valuation 
was ^2201, 10 s. There were two hundred and seventeen 
acres of tillage land. The largest amount cultivated by any one 
was seven acres, and the following are the names of the largest 
farmers : Isaac Merrill, Esq., seven acres ; Ensign Orlando 
Sargent, six acres ; Nathaniel Davis, five acres ; Barnabas Brad- 
bury, four acres ; Barzilla Colby, four acres ; Ebenezer Farring- 
ton, four and a half acres ; Benjamin Morse, four acres ; Joseph 
Moody, four acres ; Samuel Sargent, four acres ; Dea. Stephen 
Sargent, four acres ; Thomas Sargent, jr., four acres, and Chris- 
topher Sargent, four acres. 

The number of acres in orcharding was twenty-four and a 
quarter, and the largest orchard was that of Isaac Merrill, Esq., 
containing one and three-quarters acres ; Ebenezer Farrington 
owned the next largest orchard, of one and one-quarter acres. 
Although it is probable that all owned some apple trees, yet 
less than one-half had any regular orchard. 

The real estate of Isaac - Merrill, Esq., was valued at ^£47, 
7 s., 6d. ; Ens. Orlando Sargent, ,£36, 2 s., 6 d. ; Benjamin 
Morse, ^31, 7 s., 6 d. ; Joseph Moody, ^30, 15 s. ■; Thomas 
Sargent, jr., ^27, 10 s, ; Ens. Josiah Sargent, ^,26, 5 s. ; Chris- 
topher Sargent, £25, 5 s.; Thomas Rowell, Esq., £28, 15 s. 
Barnard Hoyt, £25; Ebenezer Farrington, £26, 12 s., 6 d. 
Barnabas Bradbury, £26, 15 s. ; Nathaniel Davis, £28, 5 s. 
Jacob Harvey, £24; Caleb Pilsbury, £22, 7 s., 6 s.; Dea 
Stephen Sargent, £24, 10 s. ; Capt. John Sawyer, £22, 5 s. 

Four Negroes were owned, viz. : Isaac Merrill, Esq., two 
Benjamin Morse, one ; Wells Chase, one. There were fifty-one 
horses, one hundred and seventeen oxen, two hundred and 
seventy-four cows owned, and £29, 15 s. at interest. 

Jacob Harvey owned two mills, which were located on Cob- 
blers brook, near the wheel factory. Isaac Merrill, Esq., kept 
nine cows, *Ens. Orlando Sargent seven, Isaac Sargent six, 
Ebenezer Farrington six, Barnard Hoyt five, and others from 
one to four, and there were fifty who had no cows. 

* Ensign. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 247 

1772. 

The town pound having become old and dilapidated, it was 
decided to build a new one. It was, probably, located on the 
lot given by Orlando Bagley, Esq., for school purposes, where 
the present one stands. It seems from the record that Col. 
Jonathan Bagley had given the town a sum of money, and it 
was "Voted that y e money Coll Bagley give to y e town be 
appropriated to building the pound." A committee consisting 
of Peleg Challis, Orlando Sargent and Timothy Barnard was 
chosen to carry the vote into effect. 

A tax of ^140 was voted to defray town charges at a meet- 
ing held in September, and then an adjournment was ordered 
to meet at " y e house of the Widow Hester Colby in half an 
hour," and nothing farther is known about it. 

1773. 

In portions of Amesbury and Salisbury on the 14th of Aug- 
ust occurred one of the most violent tornadoes ever known in 
this vicinity. Although not lasting more than three minutes, it 
damaged or entirely prostrated about two hundred buildings. 
Two vessels were removed twenty feet from the stocks, one 
of which was about ninety tons. One Capt. Smith was killed. 
It swept along about a quarter of a mile in width and a mile 
and a half in length near the river. The damage at the Fern- 
was David Blasdell's blacksmith shop blown down, Ephraim 
BlasdelFs house wrecked, Levi Bartlett's house half unroofed, 
Stephen Blasdell's house, much glass broken and workhouse 
blown down, Theophilus Foot's new house blown down, Widow 
Bartlett's barn partly unroofed, David Bartlett's house and barn 
damaged, Peltiah Hoyt's and Humphrey Hook's houses half 
unroofed and barn blown down, Nathan Bartlett's barn blown 
down, Theodore Hoyt's house damaged and barn half unroofed, 
Richard Currier's barn, mill house and blacksmith's shop blown 
down and house damaged, Philip White's house damaged, Isaac 
Lowell's house damaged, Gideon Lowell's house wrecked and 
unroofed and barn blown down, Moses Chase's house unroofed, 
his hatter's shop partly unroofed and both chimney's blown 
down, Eli Gale's blacksmith shop blown down, Daniel and 



248 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

James Bayley's houses partly unroofed and one chimney partly 
blown down, Enoch Bagley's house unroofed, wrecked and barn 
blown down, two vessels blown from the stocks, apple trees 
uprooted, Nicholas Bartlett's new house frame partly boarded 
blown down, Eliphalet Lowell's house wrecked and barn unroofed } 
Capt. Lurvey's house damaged, barber's shop damaged, Capt. 
Bayley's house considerably damaged, two barns, large store and 
workhouse forty by twenty feet, each two stories high, blown 
down, Joseph Hoyt's house partly unroofed, David Lowell's new 
house unroofed and old house partly so, Eliphalet Swett's house 
half unroofed and barn moved down into a gully, Humphrey 
Currier's house partly unroofed and two small barns blown down 
and one unroofed, William Hudson Ballard's house somewhat 
wrecked and workhouse wrecked and moved, Thomas Pearson's 
house damaged, blacksmith's shop partly unroofed and chimney 
blown down, Levi Hoyt's house west end beaten in by a fall- 
ing house and chimney, partly unroofed and barn blown down, 
one end of Ezra Worthen's house blown down and the rest 
much damaged, also chimney and barn blown down, Eliphalet 
Martin's house partly unroofed and large barn blown down, 
Adonijah Colby's bam blown down, Timothy Colby's barn blown 
down, and Isaac Goodwin's barn blown down. 

At Haverhill great damage was done. 

The above account was given by Rev. Samuel Webster, of Salis- 
bury, together with a longer account of the damage done there. 
No such time has ever been known since the white man first 
set foot on this Western wild. 

1774. 

The sum of ^80 was raised for the repairing of highways 
and ,£150 for town charges. 

John Bagley, after serving the town as clerk fifteen years, 
closes his official life this year. His penmanship was inferior 
to that of Orlando Bagley, Esq., or Thomas Bagley, who pre- 
ceeded him, and for clearness and correctness his record is 
below mediocrity. It is probable that he was a nephew of the 
Orlando Bagley who served so long. He lived some twenty 
rods to the westward of Davis Mason's place, on the old road. 
The office was held by the Bagley family sixty-five years. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 249 

The people were organizing throughout the colony to be in 
readiness for any emergency, and on the 21st of July a town 
meeting was held and £,2, 8 s., 7 d. were raised for the com- 
mittee of correspondence, and a committee was chosen "to 
inquire into the affaire of the towns stock." Clouds were gath- 
ering and it was evident that they must break, deluging the 
land in blood. Governor Gage finding the assembly determined 
to have their own way, had dissolved that body and commenced 
fortifying Boston. People were not disposed to leave affairs to 
the royal governor, and a call was issued for representatives to 
re-assemble under the name of "Provincial Congress." This 
body reflected the will of the people and their measures were 
respected. The sum of ^20,000 was voted to arm and train 
Minute men throughout the colony. Amesbury showed her 
patriotism by choosing Isaac Merrill, Esq., a member of this 
Congress, which was to meet in October. 

Thus matters were hastening to a crisis, the people every- 
where arming for the inevitable conflict, determined and united 
against the common enemy, as the British government was then 
thought to be. 

Even the taxes were not paid into the royal treasury, and to 
secure the selectmen the town held a meeting and "Voted that 
the town indemnify the Selectmen for the Constables not mak- 
ing a return of the money raised to Harrison Gray Esq." 

The custom of warning out new comers, who might become 
chargeable to the town, was yet in being, and this year Christopher 
Sargent, Esq., warned out Christopher Davis, Elizabeth Fling, 
Sarah Colby and Joseph Giles, who were supposed to be inhab- 
itants of Chester, N. H., and, also, Elizabeth Hunt and two 
children, of Newbury, who had been in town about six months. 
The warrant was returned to the court. 

Capt. Richard Kelley died June 18th, aged 70 years. He 
was born at West Newbury March 8th, 1 704, and came to Ames- 
bury in April, 1727, having purchased the farm at Birching 
meadow, on which his descendants now live. His house stood 
on the spot where the house of the late Joseph B. Kelley now 
stands. He was captain under the royal governor and long 

3 2 



25O HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

connected with the militia of the town, and held the office of 
selectman four years. His book of accounts, from the time he 
became twenty-one years of age to February, 1774, contains 
much information in regard to the times. He was a constant 
attendant at church, and had a system of short hand by which 
he was enabled to take down the sermons for many years. He 
was a very even-tempered man, and it has been said of him 
that he was never known to do a rash act. Most of his pub- 
lic acts, as connected with military affairs, were during the 
French and Indian wars. 

Sept. 7th. James Rowell, son of Jacob Rowell, aged about 
eight years, was drowned at the Iron works at the Mills. 

1775. 

At a meeting held January 24th, Isaac Merrill, Esq., was again 
chosen to represent the town in the "Proventell Congress" to 
be holden at Cambridge on the first of February. Meantime a 
Continental Congress had, on the 4th of September, 1774, 
assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate upon the state of the 
country and measures to be adopted for armed resistance, if 
necessary. The matter was discussed at this meeting in regard 
to the propriety of acknowledging the acts of Congress by 
recording their votes, and it was decided to do so. 

"It was put to vote whether the town would chuse a Com- 
mittee for see to it that y e votes of the Continental Congress 
shall be put on record and voted on y e affirmative." Daniel 
Quinby, Willis Patten, Winthrop Merrill, John Sawyer and Ezra 
Worthen were chosen this committee. 

The subject of raising Minute men came before the meeting, 
but it was deferred to the annual town meeting. A committee 
consisting of Capt. John Sawyer and Ephraim Weed was chosen 
to join with the selectmen to provide a "town stock." It was 
found that some of the stock in the West parish was missing, 
and an "investigating committee" was chosen, or rather this 
same committee was instructed to "inquire into it and to decide 
and determine whether the whole town or the West parish shall 
make it good." 

From the above it appears that the town was thoroughly 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 25 1 

aroused to the danger and importance of the pending contro- 
versy with the mother country. 

At the annual meeting, held March 13th, eighty pounds were 
raised to repair the highways. The treasury was again guarded 
by ordering the constables to pay the money to such persons 
as the town might designate. 

"Voted that Isaac Merrill Esq shall have an order on the 
constables for ten pounds in part for his service at the Provin- 
cial Congress." 

The course pursued by the town was virtually a complete 
revolution, so far as it could be accomplished without blood- 
shed. No support was permitted to be given to the royal 
government. 

A colonial government was already organized and assuming 
control of public affairs, and to this government the town had 
pledged itself by sending a representative to participate in its 
proceedings. In short, no support or countenance whatever has 
been accorded to British rule from this 13th day of March 
1775 to the present time. Throughout the struggle which 
"tried men's souls" and bodies, too, we find every act of 
Amesbury true to the cause of the patriots. 

The annual meeting was adjourned to the 20th instant, when 
it was " voted to raise fifty able bodyed men including officers 
for minnit men and to enlist them for one year if not disbanded 
before and that each man shall have one shilling for exercising 
four hours in a fortnight and that the commanding officer of 
said Minnit men shall exhibit an account of them that shall 
exercise to the Selectmen for to receive their pay for exercis- 
ing, and it was further voted that said Minnit men shall upon 
their own cost be well equiped with arms and aminition accord- 
ing to law fit for a march." The meeting was now adjourned 
"to the third Monday in May next at two of the clock after- 
noon." 

In the meantime questions came very unexpectedly before the 
board of selectmen, requiring instructions from the town, and 
on the 7th day of April a warrant was issued calling a meeting 
on the 17th of said month, "to pass an order for to pay the 



252 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

money raised in the town for the Province use for the year 1774 
to Henry Gardner Esq of stow he being appointed Treasurer 
by the Provincial Congress," "and to do any other business the 
town shall think proper." 

At this meeting it was "voted to pay the money raised in 
1774 and also that raised in 1773 to the Provincial Treasurer." 
It was, also, "voted to give the minit men one shilling each 
for exercising four hours in a week in the room of one shilling 
in a fortnight as voted last meeting." 

" At the same meeting it was voted that each minit man 
shall have two dollars bounty paid them at their first marching 
of provided they are called for by the Congress or a General 
officer they may appoint." 

This patriotic meeting was just two days before the fight at 
Lexington. On the 24th instant a town meeting was held and 
Doctor Nehemiah Ordway was chosen moderator. 

"At the same meeting it was voted to send a man upon the 
town's cost to Cambridge to the Minit men to see whether they 
wanted their bounty or any part of it." 

Since April 17th fifty men had been raised, equipped, 
marched and arrived at the head-quarters of the Patriot army. 

The selectmen were authorized to hire ;£ioo, lawful money, 
for one year, to carry on the work thus begun. 

Another meeting was held May 25th, and Capt. Caleb Pils- 
bury was chosen a representative to the Provincial Congress for 
six months. 

June 6th. A town meeting was held, when it was voted to 
join with Newburyport in sinking a pier at the mouth of the 
river. This measure was considered of so much importance 
that the meeting was called by one of the selectmen, the others 
being away from town attending to matters relating to the army, 
and with but two day's notice. Josiah Sargent, the only select- 
man in town, had no scruples what course to take, when sup- 
ported by the " Committee of Safety," who requested the meet- 
ing. 

The pier was sunk and Lieut. John Barnard and Lieut. Wil- 
lis Patten boated a portion of the ballast for that purpose, for 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 253 

which the former received ,£10, 13s., 4 d. and the latter ^8. 
What good resulted from this measure can hardly be told ; but 
British war vessels, although frequently lying outside, were not 
anxious to enter the river, nor did they. 

Immediately after the fight at Lexington, active measures 
were taken by the Provincial Congress to defend the rights of 
the people by organizing troops through the colony. In Ames- 
bury enlisting papers accompanied with proper instructions were 
received by Capt. John Currier, who proceeded forthwith to 
recruit a company. Having Capt. Currier's papers at hand, and 
judging that they may be interesting to all, they are copied 
entire : — 

ENLISTING PAPERS. 

"We the Subscribers do hereby solemnly and Severally engage 
and inlist ourselves as Soldiers in the Massachusetts Service, for 
the Preservation of the Liberties of America, from the Day of 
our Inlistment, to the last day of December next, unless the 
service should admit of a Discharge of a Part or the Whole 
sooner, which shall be at the Discretion of the Committee of 
Safety, and we hereby promise to submit ourselves to all the 
Orders and Regulations of the Army, and faithfully to observe 
and obey all such Orders as we shall receive from Time to 
Time, from our superior officers." 

"Edmund Barnard, Samuel Elliot, 

Calven Hallowell, Micah Sargent, 

David Juell, Elias Waite, 

Gideon Colby, Ephraim Sargent, 

Levi Sargent, Reuben Silloway, 

Peter Bagley, Joseph Tersey, 

Jonathan Hoyt, Daniel Chase, 

Isaac Whittier, Ephraim Challis, 

John Weed, Ebenezer Sargent, 

Joshua Walls, Charles Weed, 

Michael Brown, Jonathan Colby, 

Sipeo Gray, Slave Robert Hoyt, 

to Benj n Barnard, - Aaron Currier, 

Wells Blasdell, Wm Hoyt, 



254 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



John Huntington, 
Charles Sargent, 
Daniel Barry, 
Paul Hardy, 
John Hoyt y e 3, 
Thomas Foote, 
Moses Bassiel, 
John Harvey, 
John Plumer, 
Timothy Silver, 
Ebenezer Kelley, 
David Colby, 
Issac Currier, 
Joseph Wells, 



Ezra Hoyt, 

John Blasdell, 

David Hoyt, 

David Huntington, 

Eliphalet Sargent, 

Christopher Chalis, 

Joseph Pressy, 

William Jones, 

Thomas Barnard, 

Robert negro man 

servant to Eliphalet Currier. 

Isaac Barnard, 

Benjamin Pressey, 

Jonathan Blasdel." 



Andrew Newhall, 

The above-mentioned persons belonged to Capt. John Cur- 
rier's company. 

The instructions to the recruiting officers were very strict, as 
will be seen by the following copy : — 

"You are not to Enlist any Deserter from the Ministerial 
Army, nor any Stroller, Negro or Vagabond, or Person sus- 
pected of being an Enemy to the Liberty of America, nor any 
under Eighteen years of Age. 

As the Cause is the best that can engage Men of Courage 
and Principle to take up Arms ; so it is expected that none 
but such will be accepted by the Recruiting Officer; The Pay, 
Provision, &c being so ample, it is not doubted but the Offi- 
cers sent upon this Service, will without Delay compleat their 
respective Corps, and March the men forthwith to Camp. 

You are not to Enlist any Person, who is not an American 
born, unless such Person has a wife and Family, and is a Set- 
tled Resident in this Country. 

The Persons you Enlist must be provided with good and 
complete i\rms. 

Given at Head Quarters at Cambridge, this 10 th Day of 
July 1775. Horatio Gates, 

Adjutant General.' 1 '' 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 255 

Under Capt. Currier, Lieut. Wells Chase was appointed re- 
cruiting officer. It will be noticed that the instructions were 
very particular, requiring the greatest caution against engaging 
bad characters or even negroes to fight for the "best cause 
that can engage men." It was believed that when such ample 
provision had been made in regard to " Pay and Provisions," 
that good men would readily be obtained. Could they have 
been permitted to look into the future, little would have been 
said about negroes, vagabonds, or "ample Pay." Capt. Cur- 
rier was willing that negroes should fight in a good cause and 
forthwith enlisted Sipeo Gray " slave to Benjamin Barnard," 
and " Robert Negro Man Servant to Eliphalet Currier." Sipeo 
was a young man aged twenty-one years, and very probably 
interested in the good cause choosing to join the army rather 
than remain with his master and hoe corn, etc. 

The rations ordered by the Provincial Congress were " ample " 
when obtained but failed in a short time — long before the 
terrible struggle was over. The following document accompa- 
nied the enlisting papers : 

"In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 10, 1775. 

RESOLVED, That each Soldier in the Massachusetts Army, 
shall have the following Allowance per Day viz. 

Article 1. One Pound of Bread. 

Article 2. Half a Pound of Beef, and Half a Pound of 
Pork ; and if Pork cannot be had, one Pound and a Quarter 
of Beef. 

And one Day in seven they shall have one Pound and one 
Quarter of Salt Fish, instead of one Day's Allowance of Meat. 

Article 3. One Pint of Milk, or if Milk cannot be had, one 
Jill of Rice. 

Article 4. One Quart of good Spruce or Malt Beer. 

Article 5. One Jill of Pease or Beans, or other Sauce equiv- 
alent. 

Article 6. Six Ounces of good Butter per Week. 

Article 7. One Pound of good common Soap for six men. 

Article 8. Half a Pint of Vinegar per week per Man, if it 
can be had. Joseph Warren, President. 

Attest. Samuel Freeman,. Secrv." 



256 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The proposed rations were really better than most people 
enjoyed at home and if it had been possible to continue them 
all through the war, an immense amount of suffering would 
have been avoided. Ragged, shoeless and hungry soldiers 
were no uncommon sight long before the close of the war. 
And yet all this was endured with a great deal of patience by 
those brave patriots. Nearly every family in town sent forth a 
delegation to share the burdens of this almost hopeless struggle. 

To provide clothing for the soldiers the Provincial Congress 
issued a call upon the towns for 13,000 coats. The propor- 
tionate share of Amesbury was sixty-nine coats. As the select- 
men had no authority to act without the consent of the town, 
a meeting was called August 15th, and a committee consisting 
of Capt. John Hoyt, Capt. John Sawyer and Cornet John Bar- 
nard was chosen to procure the required number of coats. 

Nov. 27th. A town meeting was held and ^140 raised to 
defray the expenses of the town. 

After the fight at Lexington a permanent organization of the 
army was resolved upon and soldiers were enlisted for speci- 
fied periods, generally three years, but frequently for shorter time. 
Capt. Currier's company was enlisted till the 1st. of August. 
The following document will be of interest as it furnishes con- 
siderable information in regard to this company. 

" To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Col- 
ony now sitting at Watertown this 4th day of August, A. D. 

I 775- 
The petition of John Currier of Amesbury Humbly showeth 

that your petitioner in the foor parte of May Laste Inlisted a 

Company of Soldiers Consisting of 54 men and marched with 

s d Company to head Quarters at Cambridge and have been 

there upon Duty ever since about the 20th of May and have 

all past muster but won who was taken sick and died a Few 

days after we came to head Quarters and your petitioner would 

observe to your Honors that there is twelve of his Soldiers 

that have not yet had there won months advance wages as 

was voted and said Soldiers are very uneasie, wherefore your 

petitioner prays your Honors to consider the same and make 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



257 



such provision for their Relief as you in your wisdom shall 
think to be Convenient. 

Your petitioner further prays that there was a Number of 
his Soldiers who in the Engagement at Charlestown Lost some 
of there Clouthing and other particulars that the same may be 
made good to them he having taken from under Conoll Fryes 
Hand to make it appear his Company being in s d Fryes Reg- 
iment and your petitioner who as in Duty bound Shall ever 
pray. 

Cambridge 3 August 1775. 

John Currier, Capt" 

The tabulated statement made immediately after the battle 
was as follows : — 

"Cambridge June 17th 1775. 

A Return of what was lost out of Capt. John Curriers Com- 
pany in Colo" Fryes Regiment on the late Battle upon Charles- 
town : 





Wounded 


gun 


Coats 


Blankit 


Great Coat 


snap 


sack 


shoes 


Lieut Wells Chase 


Wounded 
baionet 


gun 


coate 




great 


coat 


snap 


sack 


shoes 


Sargt Isaac Barnard 










great 


coat 


snap 


sack 


un pare of 
stockin 


Sart Paul Hardy 








Blankit 






snap 


sack 


one pare of 
trowsers 


Corp John Hoyt 






coate 


Blankit 






snap 


sack 


two h'd'chfs 


Corp Timothy Silver 


Wounded 


gun 
















John Harvey 




gun 










snap 


sack 




Peter Bagley 




gun 
















Robert Hoyte 














snap 


sack 


two pr socks 


William Jones 




Baionet 














one hat 


Sipeo Gray 






coate 


Blankit 












Thomas Foot 






coate 


Blankit 






snap 


sack 




Isaac Whittier 






coate 




great 


coat 


snap 


sack 




David Huntington 


Killed or 


taken 
















Joshua Walls 








Blankit 






snap 


sack 





It is remarkable that in the hasty retreat after the supply of 
amunition had been exhausted, so little loss should have been 
made. The position occupied by this company must have been 
favorable or the casualties would have been far greater. A son 
of Capt. Currier, the late David Currier, related to me his rec- 
ollections of that day, June 17th. He was then a boy some 
five years old, and the excitement in the neighborhood of the 
Pond hills was so great that it made an impression upon him 
never to be forgotten. 33 



258 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

It was a warm day with south-west wind and the guns were 
distinctly heard, forcing all to the conclusion that a battle was 
going on. Never before had the big guns of an enemy been 
heard at Amesbury. All were wild with fear and excitement, 
for it should be remembered that almost every family was rep- 
resented on that battle ground. The women gathered at some 
neighbors to sympathize, as well as express their deep anxiety 
as to the result. Would more than half be killed? Some 
thought not, others thought there would. But their fears could 
not be dispelled for some days, as there were no lightning 
trains or telegraphs then, and anxious hearts must retire to 
bed, but not to sleep. What will the British do ? Will they kill 
us all? Such were the questions asked, which no one could 
answer. From other sources I have had like narratives, and in 
this manner local tradition has preserved valuable information. 

The following will show the quarters this company occupied 
at Cambridge soon after the battle. 

"June 24, 1775. 

Gen 1 Orders, That Capt Kyer lodge his men in Mr. Wyth's 
Barn until further Orders." /. Ward, Secry. 

Later in the season General Washington, who assumed com- 
mand of the forces at Cambridge July 2d, sent the following 
note to Capt. Currier : 

" To Capt. Currier, Colo. F. Regiment. 

General Washington's Compliments to Capt. Currier. 

Requests his Company at Dinner to day half after 2 o'clock 

Thursday morn Octbr 26t h ." 

The original document more than 105 years old is in a good 
state of preservation. 

The taxes, town and province for the year 1775 were: — 

"Town, in West „ . Town in East 

Parish. lr ° vmce - Parish. 

£,66, 12 s. 2d. £ 115, 5 s. 10 d W. P. ,£79, 4 s. 5 d. 
Taxpayers, 168 131,9 9 E. P. Tax payers, 232" 

In 1773 a committee was chosen to remove all encroach- 
ments upon the highways and landings ; and this year several 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 259 

bills were paid for court expenses and also a lawyer's bill. 
There seems to have been a lawsuit but the record throws 
very little light on the affair. 

John Poor was school-master at the Ferry this year one 
quarter. 

John Mycall kept school one quarter (probably in the West 
parish) . 

Winthrop Merrill (at the Ferry) made a " powder chest " 
for the town. 

Isaac Merrill, Esq. received ^28, 19 s., 10 d. for services at 
the Provincial Congress. 

May 20th. A call was issued by the selectmen for a town 
meeting on the 25th inst. to choose representatives, and it is 
worthy of note that it was called " In observance of the Re- 
solves and Recommendations of the Provincial Congress." Al- 
ready had the town rejected " His Majesty's " authority and it 
never more appears in town records. 

Capt. William Hudson Ballard from the Ferry was in the 
service during a part of the war but how long or at what pe- 
riod is not quite certain. From the account book of Jonathan 
Blaisdell it would seem that he was at Cambridge soon after 
Gen. Washington assumed command. Mr. Blaisdell was a gun- 
smith and was evidently at Cambridge repairing the guns for 
Washington's army. The account book contains nearly two hun- 
dred charges embracing guns from nineteen regiments and forty- 
four companies. There is no date to fix the exact time, but 
the heading reads " Cambridge iune 25," and one later charge 
is as follows: " David Boyd to menden a gun, o, 15, o. Abra- 
ham Miler Captn in genaril wosenton regiment." 

At this time Captain Ballard's company was present and also 
Captain Currier's, and Mr. Blaisdell repaired guns in both com- 
panies. 

1776 

A committee of safety and correspondence was chosen con- 
sisting of Lieut. John Barnard, Winthrop Merrill, Christopher 
Sargent, Enoch Rogers, Peleg Challis, Ezra Worthen and Oba- 
diah Colby. This was an important committee and very wisely 



260 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

composed of some of the most substantial and influential citi- 
zens. The duties of this committee were to hold correspond- 
ence with the committee at head-quarters, and of other towns, 
and of deciding upon measures for the public good and safety. 
Theirs was the duty of directing the proper course to be taken, 
and the people and authorities were ready to carry out the 
measures advised. Forty pounds were raised to repair the high- 
ways and the selectmen allowed four pounds for their services. 

April 2 2d. Major David Merrill was chosen a delegate to a 
county convention to be held at Mr. Treadwell's tavern in Ips- 
wich. The object of this convention we are unable to state. 

The council organized a new regiment in the towns of New- 
buryport, Amesbury and Salisbury to be designated as the Sec- 
ond Regiment. Amesbury was dissatisfied with the proportion 
of commissioned officers assigned to her and voted that "they 
thought they had not had their proper proportion of field offi- 
cers." 

"At the same meeting Capt. William Bayley, Lieut. John 
Barnard and Christopher Sargent were chosen a committee to 
draw a petition or memorial and send to the honorable coun- 
cil and house of representatives in behalf of the town praying 
their honors to consider whether a second major is our full 
proportion of field officers, and redress us if they think we are 
agrieved." 

Each regiment was provided with three important officers, viz. 
Colonel, paid ,£15 per month, Lieut.-Col., paid ^12 per month, 
and Major, paid ,£10 per month, and neither of these officers 
had been taken from Amesbury, but simply a " Second Major." 
Those determined men who were watching every interest of the 
town were not to be slighted in any manner, without an attempt 
at redress. The effect of this petition is not known. 

British vessels were frequently seen off the Bar, and Coffin, in 
his history of Newbury, gives an account of several that were 
taken and brought into Newburyport as prizes, viz. Jan. 15th 
the ship Friends, Feb. 16th, a bark of three hundred tons, 
March 1st, brig Nelly; and supposing that war vessels might 
attempt to enter the river to burn the town it was determined 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 26 1 

to build a fort on Plum Island. By request of Newburyport 
and Newbury, a town meeting was held April 30th to con- 
sider the matter. The meeting declined to assist in building 
the fort as this town was in very little danger from that cause. 
Newburyport had appopriated ^4000 and Newbury ^200. 

Although few decisive battles had been fought and the pros- 
pect for independence was anything but flattering, yet Massa- 
chusetts was fully determined to press forward in the cause of 
freedom and the General Court advised holding town-meetings 
throughout the colony to consider the subject of independence, 
and to give instructions to the representatives. 

July 1 st. The town assembled agreeable to a call to con- 
sider the propriety of instructing the representatives to press 
forward the declaration of independence. The vote was " that 
they will abide by and Defend the Members of the Continen- 
tal Congress with their Lives and fortunes if they think it ex- 
pedient to declare the Colonies Independent of Great Briton." 
This was no hasty resolution of the people, but the result of 
long continued and calm consideration. Heartily tired of Brit- 
ish rule they were willing to sacrifice property and even life 
itself, if need be, for liberty. And there was at this time a 
native son of Amesbury in the Continental Congress, fearlessly 
advocating this bold measure, and by his influence greatly assist- 
ing in its adoption. Dr. Josiah Bartlett born at the Ferry in 
1729 was now a resident of Kingston, N. H. and member of 
Congress. He was a man of more than ordinary talent, a fine 
scholar, successful physician and determined patriot. Popular 
with the people of his adopted state, he had been entrusted 
with their interests at a most critical period, and well did he 
execute that trust. 

While the people at Amesbury were pledging their all to the 
cause of freedom, he was urging forward the bold measure 
calculated to separate the colonies from the mother country. 
When the fearless document was completed he boldly steps 
forward and places his name at the head of the Declaration. 
Of such heroic conduct Amesbury may well be proud. In 
1790 he was chosen Governor of New Hampshire, an office 



262 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



which he filled with credit to himself and honor to the State. 
A fitting memorial of him would be a proper monument on the 
spot of his birth. 




ClfrQ t&hft^Ucw' Governor 

July 3d. A meeting was notified to meet on the 4th to raise 
money to encourage enlistments. A call had just been made 
for thirty-seven men to reinforce the army at Canada. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 263 

The colony had offered bounties but the men were not 
easily obtained and it became necessary for the town to make 
some addition. " It was voted to give unto each man the sum 
of twenty dollars to the amount of thirty-seven men, and in 
proportioning the tax to raise the money, the selectmen shall 
consider them men that have done anything in the service the 
year past and allow it unto them according to what they have 
done." 

" At the same meeting it was voted that each man that shall 
enlist shall have the whole of his bounty from the town at 
their passing muster and that the Selectmen shall procure the 
money upon the town's credit to pay the Soldiers." 

The selectmen were also instructed to procure a town's stock 
of amunition as soon as possible. 

It was also voted to join the Newburyport regiment. After 
eleven days experience in recruiting it was found that the men 
could not be raised with the present bounty, and a meeting 
was called July 15th, and an addition of twenty dollars voted, 
thus giving forty dollars. It was a dangerous expedition, one 
in which no one wished to engage even for money. The men, 
if enlisted, were not sent to Canada, as the army of invasion 
was already on their retreat, a mere handful of worn-out sol- 
diers when they arrived at Ticonderoga. 

By the 18th twenty-six men had been enlisted who received 
their bounty on that day, viz : 

Thomas Foot, Thomas Lanckester, 

Robert Hoyt, Levi Sargent, 

Stephen Locke, Samuel Foot, 

Benjamin Swett, Nicholas Colby, 

Gideon Colby, Robert Hastings, 

Timothy Silver, Samuel Barnard, 

Samuel Blasdell, John Currier, 

John Blasdell, Levi Blasdell, 

William Lowell, Jacob Randall, 

Benjamin Worthen, John Weed, 

Edmund Barnard, Stephen Badger, 

Aaron Colby, Orlando Bagley, 

Jonathan Hoyt, Timothy Hoyt, jun. 



264 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Nearly every one of the above were citizens of Amesbury, 
and to pay them the selectmen hired on the 17th inst. ,£538, 
5 s., 8 d. of the inhabitants, who readily loaned their money in 
behalf of the cause, which evinced their patriotism, and faith in 
its final success. 

Their lives and fortunes were pledged to Congress and now 
they are nobly redeeming both. Robert Hoyt and Timothy 
Hoyt, after enlisting, loaned the town ^12 each to assist in 
paying the large bounties. 

Scarcely was the excitement of this call over before another 
demand was made for every twenty-fifth man, being nine men. 
To meet this call a meeting was held on the 2 2d inst. and a 
bounty of ^12 offered. 

The nine men were obtained previous to Aug. 6th, when 
they received their bounty. 

NAMES OF THE MEN. 

Wells Chase, Sargent Harvey, 

Abner Hoyt, Ezra Jewell, 

David Hoyt, Moses Buswell. 

Moses Sargent, Moses Currier. 

John Currier, jr. 
Another requisition was received for six men, and a town- 
meeting held Aug. 2d, when it was "voted that the town will 
make y e pay of the Soldiers in the present requisition to the 
sum of ten dollars per month during the time of their service 
with what shall be paid by the Province." 

William Williams and Lieut. John Barnard were chosen to 
enlist the men. The selectmen were instructed to hire the 
money and on the 8th the six men received £4 bounty as 
their own signatures attest. 

NAMES OF THE MEN. 

Joseph Wells, Richard Currier, 

Benjamin Merrill, John Huse, 

Anthony Kelly, Samuel Sargent. 

On the 23d of September a meeting was held to take meas- 
ures to raise men to reinforce the army at New York and a 
bounty of £6 was offered in lawful money. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 265 

'•'Voted that Capt. Barnard Hoyt shall be the man to ingage 
the above said men and fit them of." 

NAMES OF THE MEN. 

Richard Sawyer, John Hoyt y e 3. 

Daniel Nickols, jun., Ephraim Sargent, 

Daniel Hoyt, jun.,' William Williams, 

John Silver, Wells Chase, jun., 

Daniel Chase, Enoch Colby, 

Humphry Hoyt, Barnard Hoyt. 

The above twelve men joined the army at Fairfield, and Wells 
Chase, jun. carted their baggage, as the following receipt shows : 

"October 12th 1776 payd by the Selectmen to Mr. Wells 
Chase jun. for carrying the baggage for the Soldiers to fairfield, 
— 24 — 9 — 8." 

The army was now reduced to 18,000 men and of that num- 
ber 3,000 were sick and hence the resolute attempt to send 
forward strong re-enforcements. 

Soon after the foregoing calls were filled, another demand 
was made for one-fourth of the able-bodied men. 

Dec. 2d. A meeting was held when it was "voted to give 
1 20 to each man that shall inlist or be draughted," and Capt. 
Barnard Hoyt and Capt. Timothy Barnard were appointed to 
enlist the men. 

This meeting was held at the "Church" which stood on 
what is now known as the "old church yard" opposite where 
the late Town House stood at Pond hills. 

The meeting was adjourned to the 9th inst., and again to the 
house of David Hoyt, jr., who then lived where the family of 
the late E. M. Huntington now lives. The present house is of 
more modern date and was built by the late Moses Hoyt. The 
church could not be warmed properly and was unfit for town 
meeting on a cold December day. 

An addition of $10 was made to the former bounty, making 
it $30. The able-bodied men were now reduced to 120, accord- 
ing to the best information to be obtained, and to enlist 30 
out of this number was no easy task. Upon this increased 



266 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

bounty the men were enlisted previous to December 14, when 
the following persons received bounty : 



Daniel Waite, 


David Page, 


Levi Wells, 


Jonathan Morrill, 


Philip Chandler, 


Charles Barnard, 


Daniel Chase, 


Richard Bartlett, 


Samuel Foot, 


Joseph Wells, 


Nehemiah Osgood, 


Jacob Ring, 


Dudley Maxfield, 


Richard Morrill, 


Richard Currier, 


Jeremiah Morrill, 


Richard Osgood, 


Levi Blasdell, 


David Lowell, 


Willoughby Hoyt, 


William Davis, 


Thomas Clarke, 


William Sargent, 


Richard Kelley, 


Asa Sargent, 


Marshal Stocker, 


William Morrill, 


Jonathan Bagley, 


Joshua Wells, 


Jarvis Ring. 


: a meeting held December 


30th it was " voted to raise 


t hundred pounds lawful m 


oney, in addition to what is 



eight 

already voted, which is to make a tax of twelve hundred pounds 

to defray the charges of the town the present year." 

Thus closed the year 1776, full of startling events and meas- 
ures of which time only could enable the world to judge. It 
was glorious in principles and aspirations if not in the success 
of its arms. The town was called to meet sixteen times and 
once, so great was the necessity that but a single day's notice 
was given, and in another instance the call was made by one of 
the selectmen only. In no year during the Great Rebellion 
was one half as many meetings held. 

In addition to the continued excitement in war matters the 
small-pox prevailed to some extent, which was in those days 
more to be dreaded than an army with banners. 

The following document will fully explain itself: 

"Amesbury, Sept. 1776. 

Then received of Capt. John Currier the sum of two pounds 
fourteen shillings and three pence Lawful Money which I received 
as being due for my negros service in the last years campaign 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 267 

under the command of s d Capt. Currier if it should hereafter 
be so ordered that the said Capt. should be obliged to pay the 
money to the negro I promise and engage to pay said sum of 
money back again as witness my hand. 

Benjamin Barnard." 

The census of the population at this time, as taken by the 
colony, only gave one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five 
inhabitants, and in 1790, some fourteen years later, the increase 
was but six. In 1800 there was found a decrease of popula- 
tion from 1776 of thirty-eight, and in 1820, after the lapse of 
forty-four years, the town had gained but one hundred and six- 
ty-one in numbers, although two or more factories had been 
built and put in operation during that period. 

1777. 

The following persons were chosen a committee of correspond- 
ence and safety : John Patten, Capt. John Sawyer, Capt. Mat- 
thias Hoyt, John Hoyt, jr., Major David Merrill, John Bagley 
and Capt. Caleb Pilsbury. 

The frequent calls for men last year had severely tried the 
town and its resources, but this year opens under no very fav- 
orable prospects to encourage renewed effort in the good cause. 
So many able-bodied men were in the army that provisions 
were scarce and high. The town was under the necessity of 
supplying the soldier's families, and frequently bought corn for 
that purpose. The people were not fed on pie and cake then. 
Guns, amunition and shovels for the soldiers and army were 
bought by the town. 

Aug. 23d. An order was drawn for " 14 guns with Bayonets 
at 72 s. each and ten gun locks at 18 s. each and 288 pound 
of lead at 10 pence per pound and 240 flints ,£72 4 — 10." 

"Paid to Benjamin Sargent for 4 shovel woods o — 8 — o." 

"July paid for 2i6 lb of powder bought for a Town Stock for 
this town ^64 — 16 — o." 

The town purchased steel of the board of war at Boston to 
the amount of ^18. 

"May 6th Ordered to Roger Colby in full for shewing 24 
shovels £2, 14 — o." 



268 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

There were continual calls on the town for clothing and 
almost every variety of needed articles, and to add to the other 
pressing burdens, the Continental money was rapidly deprecia- 
ting and large quantities were required to purchase the needed 
articles. 

To illustrate this depreciation, we cite the case of Daniel 
Hoyt : He gave a note March 3d, 1775, for ^3, 2 s., 2 d., to 
Mr. Peleg Challis for the benefit of his brother Jacob's children. 
On September 25th, 1777, he paid it, and the amount includ- 
ing interest was ^"20, 16 s. 

April 2 1 st. A call for fourteen men having been made, it 
was found necessary to hold a town meeting to decide on the 
manner of raising them. "The question was put whether the 
town would pay any bounty to the men now to be raised and 
it passed in the negative." 

It is evident that the people were a little discouraged, nor is 
it any wonder that they should be. It was difficult even by 
the help of the women to raise provisions enough to supply all. 
The fare was coarse and scant, and money hard to get. 

The people, however, soon rallied from their depression, 
called a meeting on the 28th and "voted to pay three pounds 
each to fourteen men, who shall enlist as private soldiers and 
serve two months as private soldiers or non-commissioned offi- 
cers agreeable to the order of Court." 

This bounty was sufficient to secure in two days the required 
number of men, who were paid with money borrowed, as usual, 
from the citizens. They were all Amesbury men, as follows : — 
Thomas Colby, Hezekiah Colby, 

Enoch Colby, Daniel Flanders, 

Zebulon Sargent, Jonathan Hoyt, 

Joseph Morse, Aaron Bagley, 

Peter Bagley, Levi Goodwin, 

Jeremiah Shepherd, Thomas Bagley, 

Levi Flanders, Timothy Lanckester. 

With great exertions these men had been enlisted and paid 
to the very great relief of many sad families. 

The enemy was, however, becoming very troublesome, even 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 269 

in some portions of New England, and Gen. Washington's army 
amounted to but a few hundred. An effort to fill up the rank 
and file became absolutely necessary to sustain the desperate 
cause. 

The scarcity of arms was, also, telling against the Americans. . 
All the old guns were repaired by local gunsmiths in the vari- 
ous towns, so as to pass muster. In Amesbury, David Blasdell 
repaired the locks and guns, as his father had done in the old 
French and Indian wars. Fortunately, however, a French ves- 
sel arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., with eleven thousand guns 
and other war material. One or two chests of these were 
brought to Amesbury and distributed by Isaac Merrill, Esq., 
two of which the writer now has in his possession, now known 
as "old French guns." 

To the amazement of all, in seven days from filling the last 
call the town was threatened with a draft. A warrant for a 
town meeting was immediately issued, containing the following 
article : — 

" To see if the town will take some proper method to com- 
plete our full seventh part of all the male inhabitants of this 
town from sixteen years old and upwards to serve as Soldiers 
in the Continental Army agreeable to an act of this State of 
April y e 30th to enlist or draft the men that are wanting to 
complete said seventh part on or before the 15 th day of this 
present May." That the people might be awake to the impor- 
tance of the meeting, the selectmen added "It is desired the 
good people of this town will give their attendance at time and 
place above mentioned for the business is urgent and will not 
admit of delay." 

The citizens assembled on the 12th, and under the excite- 
ment of the moment voted a bounty of $100 to each man who 
should enlist. The meeting was then adjourned to meet at the 
house of Benjamin Bodge on "Thursday Next." 

At the adjourned meeting, the previous vote was reconsidered 
and $50 substituted for serving till "the tenth of January next," 
a little more than seven months. This arrangement was not 
satisfactory, however, from some cause and was reconsidered. 



270 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



and then the meeting adjourned to the West meeting house on 
the 19th. 

At the adjourned meeting, Capt. John Hoyt, Ensign Mat- 
thias Hoyt and Lieut. John Barnard were chosen to enlist the 
men on the best terms they could obtain for three years or 
during the war. At this time one-seventh of the able-bodied 
men was twenty-two. This number was obtained for ^30 each, 
which was paid by the town from money borrowed of the citi- 
zens. The noble-hearted women frequently loaned the town 
money on these occasions. 

The following is a list of the men : — 



"Gideon Colby, 
Timothy Silver, 
Stephen Lowell, 
Levi Wells, 
Timothy Colby, jun., 
John Lowell, 
Henry Hunt, 
Stephen Badger, 
John Newcomb, 
Aaron Colby, 
Benjamin Bodge, 



David Nickols, 
Wells Chase, jun., 
Thomas Clarke, 
Eliphalet Hoyt, 
John Plumer, 
Thomas Lanckester, 
Timothy Hoyt, jun.. 
Marshal Stoker, 
John Hoyt y- 3 d 
Matthias Hoyt, 
Barnard Hoyt." 



Aug. 1 6th. A call for one-sixth of the able-bodied men hav- 
ing been made, a meeting was held this day and a bounty of 
^4, 10 s., per month was offered to each of thirty men. 

The following persons were enlisted and received their bounty 
money on the 23d inst., viz. : — 



"William Lowell, 
Benjamin Swett, 
Joshua Wells, 
Jonathan Barnard, 
David Currier, 
Levi Blasdell, 
Jacob Ring, 
Richard Osgood, 
John Herbet, 
Obadiah Badger, 



Thomas Foot, 
Daniel Hoyt, 
Moses Goodwin, 
Edmund Bartlett, 
Jonathan Hoyt, 
Isaac Foot, 
Joseph Morse, 
Robert Hoyt, 
Joshua Sargent, 
Enoch Colby, 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 27 1 

William Morrill, John Sargent, 

Currier Barnard, Moses Buswell, 

Levi Flanders, Richard Kelley, 

Jacob Lanckester, Jesse Carr, 

Ephraim Currier, Barnard Worthen." 

It required constant effort to fill the calls so rapidly made at 
this critical period, and the only wonder is that it was possible 
to find men and money enough to comply with them. There 
appears to have been but one mind in town, and that was 
patriotic in the extreme : loyalty to the cause of freedom. Not 
a line appears on the mass of records, which have been labori- 
ously searched, which could possibly be construed into anything 
like "Toryism." 

On the 26th of August a town meeting was held to take 
measures to raise seven men just called for, and Capt. Pilsbury 
and Lieut. John Barnard were chosen to hire the men on the 
most reasonable terms "they can." Lieut. Barnard proceeded 
to the eastward and was successful in obtaining six men, to 
whom bounty was paid, as follows : — 

Abner Coffin Lunt and Isaac Smith ^33 each ; Nathaniel 
Young, Mark Merrill and William Stevens j£a2> eac h J Nathaniel 
Coffin Lunt ^40, and Abraham Young ^43. 

Nov. 6th. The town voted to raise ^2000 to defray the 
charges of the town the present year, and, also, to make up 
the wages of the soldiers, now to be raised to six pounds per 
month. 

It was, also, "Voted to give Mrs. Goodridge widow of Capt. 
Ezekiel Goodridge," who was killed at the taking of Burgoyne, 
"twelve pounds as a bounty for last year's service." 

Capt. Goodridge was originally from Haverhill, but moved to 
Amesbury, and his stone in the East parish burying ground 
gives the date, etc., of his death. 

The gloomiest and most trying period of the war ended with 
this year. At its close, prospects were brightening. Burgoyne 
had been captured with his whole army, and the American 
army had gained many advantages. Great numbers of soldiers 
had been added to the various commands, and even the British 
generals were seriously thinking of giving up all as lost. 



272 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The several calls made upon the town during the year 
amounted to seventy-three men, exclusive of the November 
call for men to supply the places of those whose term expired 
with the month. 

"April y e 30 th 1777 then paid a bounty of three pounds each 
to 14 soldiers agreeable to a vote of this town 42-0-0." 

"May y e 3 d 1777 paid to Jacob Lancaster for carrying the 
three year soldiers baggage to Cambridge 4-0-2." 

" June 23 paid to Elijah Tilton for keeping school one month 
2—17—7." 

June 16. At the same meeting voted to build a place in 
" Deac n Orlando Sargent's corn house on the towns cost to put 
the towns stock of amunition and tools in." 

" August 23 paid to Robert Rogers for finding boards nails 
Joyce and making a town store in Deacon Sargents Barn 2 — 8 
—8." 

Joseph Gould died in the army which previously occupied 
Ticonderoga, on September 20th. This fort was taken July 2d 
by Burgoyne. 

Joseph Pressey and his sons John and Hezekiah (Friends), 
enlisted this year and were turned out by the monthly meeting 

1778. 

Jan. 26th, 1778. A meeting was held at which Thomas 
Rowell, Esq., was chosen moderator and then it was adjourned 
to the house of Isaac Whittier forthwith. It was there voted to 
chose a committee of seven men to draft instructions for " our 
Representative consierning the Confederation and lay them 
before the town at the adjournment of their meeting." 

The selectmen with the addition of Thomas Rowell, Esq., Col. 
Jonathan Bagley, Stephen Kelley and Capt. John Currier were 
chosen for the above purpose, and then the meeting was 
adjourned to meet February 3d, at the church meeting house 
at the Pond hills. The report of this committee, composed of 
the most prominent men in town, is well worth perusal, as it 
clearly sets forth the views and ideas of the people at the time 
the government was being formed. Their opinions were by no 
means favorable to a strong central power that should control 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 273 

the state governments at will, but the reverse. They were 
unmistakably "State Rights" men: — 

" To Capt Caleb Pilsbury Representative for the town of Ames- 
bury. 

Sir : The Inhabitants of Amesbury being assembled this 3d 
day of February, 1 778, took into consideration the Articles of Con- 
federation and perpetual union betwixt the United States of Amer- 
ica, the Honorable the House of Representatives looking upon 
it as a matter of the greatest importance by their Resolves 
have recommended it to the consideration of the several 
towns in this state to instruct their Representatives to act 
and do as they shall judge most for the advantage and security 
of this and the other United States, relative to that matter, 
the inhabitants of this town are most humbly of their opinion, 
and sincerely obliged to that Honorable Assembly whereof 
you have the honor to be a member, for the great care they 
have taken in order to collect the whole wisdom of the States 
before they come to a determination upon a matter where the 
lives, the liberties, the property, the safety and the future well 
being of this Continent so much depends, after reading the several 
articles, and considering the same the inhabitants upon mature 
deliberation and with the most earnest solicitude recommend 
the following amendment in the several articles hereafter 
mentioned. 

In the 8th article where the proportioning the Continental 
charges upon the several states, it be proportioned according 
to the value and income of personal as well as real estate. 

And in the ninth article the Congress not to have the sole 
and executive right and power of determining on peace and war 
without first consulting the Legislative authority of every one of 
the United States, and the Legislative authority of nine of the 
United States consenting to the determination of war, and to 
every article of all Treaties of Peace and alliance, then the 
United States in Congress to have power to declare war and 
grant letters of Marque and Reprisals and to ratify peace and 
not without such consent first 'had &c. 

Also in the ninth article when the Congress either borroweth 

35 



274 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

money or emits Bills on the credit of the United States trans- 
mitting every half year to the respective States on account of 
the sums of money so borrowed or emitted then add together 
with an account of the expenditure of the same. The inhabi- 
tants of this town are unanimously of opinion that all Commu- 
nitys of people out in justice and have an undoubted right to 
know the expendure of their public money. 

Consider Dear Sir that the Articles of Confederation are per- 
petual and not to be altered without such alteration be agreed 
to in Congress and afterwards confirmed by the Legislative 
authority of every State, the obtaining of which will be next to 
an impossibility therefore it highly behooves every state, every 
town and every indevidual to summons up their Power and 
exercise their whole wisdom and see their way is clear before 
they bind themselves and thousand and ten thousands yet unborn 
in a perpetual covenant never to be altered. 

The other Articles in the proposed Confederation the inhabi- 
tants leave to the great wisdom of the General Assembly 
together with our ardent prayers that they may be directed from 
above to do that which may make the inhabitants of the United 
States ever happy." 

The presentation of these instructions was the last important 
act of Capt. Pilsbury's life. He died before the close of the 
year, having led a useful and honorable life. He commenced 
his public life in 1728 as juror, and held almost every office 
within the gift of the people. He was selectman in 1757 and 
1764, and Representative to General Court and to the provin- 
cial Congress in 1775. He was one of those who proposed 
digging through the Pond ridge, which he and the venerable 
Orlando Bagley successfully accomplished in 1 740, thus opening 
a short cut from the pond to Powow river. For this act he 
will long be remembered. 

Committee of correspondence, inspection and safety, Jacob 
Lowell, John Kelley, Capt. William Bayley, Isaac Merrill, Esq.' 
Capt. Eli Gale. 

A committee was chosen to settle with the selectmen and all 
who may have the town's money in their hands. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 275 

" Voted that the Selectmen pay those men that went to guard 
the prisoners taken by General Gates their wages agreeable to 
the vote of the town." 

It was voted not to join the Newburyport regiment with only 
a major as field officer, and then the meeting was adjourned to 
March 30th. 

There are no lists or record of the men who were furnished 
at the several calls during the year, and all the clue we have 
been able to find is the record of the few orders drawn for their 
pay during the latter part of the year or first part of 1779. 
The following men received pay for service at Rhode Island : 
" Moses Buswell, John Sargent, 

Joseph Mors, Theophilus Goodwin, 

Samuel Feavour, Samuel Kimball, 

Andrew Whittier, Isaac Foot, 

Moses Sargent, Aaron Bagley, 

Philip Chandley, Paul Hardy, 

Zebulon Sargent, John Patten, 

Ezra Jewell, John Sheapherd, 

Obadiah Badger, Timothy Colby, 

Joshua Wells, Barzilla Colby ( Winter Hill) ." 

There were, also, four others who had their taxes abated on 
account of being in the army, viz, : — 

"Daniel Chase, jr., Aaron Bagley, 

William Johnes, John Newcomb." 

The reason of this sudden change in the record cannot be 
imagined. The little book called the "Witch Book" gives a 
very good account of the men up to 1778, when no more can 
be found. 

At the adjourned meeting it became necessary to adopt some 
measures to raise more men, another call having been made, and 
it was "Voted to make up their wages to seven pounds per 
month with what they have from the Continant and State." 

The committee was instructed to go to the "Eastward" to 
hire the three years' men now called for, as it was very diffi- 
cult finding men in town who could be spared, or were willing 
to continue in the service all of the time, away from their fam- 
ilies. 



276 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Capt. Ezekiel Goodridge before his death had taken a very 
active part in the war, and his services to the town by way of 
enlisting recruits had been very valuable. His labors were duly 
appreciated, and his widow received $16 by vote of the town, 
in addition to a bounty of ^12 last year. 

At a meeting held April 9th, it was " Voted to give Stephen 
Blasdell a gun for that his son left at Canada." 

"Voted, also, to make up the wages of the Soldiers that went 
to guard the prisoners taken by Gen Gates to six pounds per 
month besides the twenty shillings the Court gave for sauce 
money or wages." 

Another call for soldiers obliged the selectmen to issue their 
warrant for a meeting May 4th, when it was "Voted that each 
man that shall inlist into the Continental service for nine months 
shall be entitled to the thirty pounds each which the Court 
allows the town and also thirty pounds more to each man as 
an additional bounty from the town." 

"At the same meeting voted to give each that shall inlist for 
eight months to serve as Soldiers on Hudson River thirty 
pounds each as a bounty from the town." 

This meeting was adjourned one week and met on the 1 ith 
inst., when the following vote was passed : — 

"Voted to chuse a Committee to see if they can procure 
the men now wanted on the towns costs." 

"Voted, also, that the Selectmen and Committee of Safety 
be the Committee to procure the men." 

Continual effort and large bounties were required to meet 
the frequent calls for men to reinforce the army ; in fact, it 
was a very discouraging task for any committee, however effi- 
cient. The people were poor and needed at home to till the 
ground to keep their families from starving ; but those who had 
money freely lent it to the town, taking notes as security. Old 
persons who could remember those days have described the 
fare as "boiled beef, corn bread and cider." 

The poor of the town were kept by those who would keep 
them the cheapest, and many times the pay was in provisions, 
as were some cases this year : " Capt Worthen a bushel of 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 277 

corn per week for supporting Widow Hookley." "Isaac Rogers 
a bushel of corn per week for supporting Lydia Ordway." 

June 25th. A town meeting was held to take measures to 
raise ten men now called for, and the committee was "to pro- 
cure the men on the towns cost on the most reasonable terms 
they can. Also to replace the guards under General Heath 
when called for on the towns cost, the Committee not to have 
any pay for their own time and expense." 

"And Mr Ephraim Weed appeared in said meeting and 
entered his decent against said vote." Whether Capt. Weed 
was opposed to raising men or not paying the committee for 
their services does not appear, but at a subsequent meeting we 
shall find him opposing the whole proceedings. 

Tuly 13th. A town meeting was held to take measures to 
clear the town from a presentment at the Salem court. " Isaac 
Merrill Esq and Capt William Bayley were chosen a committee 
to appear at the Salem court in behalf of the town on account 
of their being presented for not having a Grammar school." 

This was a most singular affair and, probably, the work of 
some evil-minded person, for the town had provided schools in 
both parishes. Samuel Brooks kept school three months ending 
March 6th in the East parish and Thomas Clark in the West 
parish, and there can be but little doubt of their ability to teach 
the required branches. It cost the town for the committee's 
services ^14, n s., 9 d. However, there was a master in town 
whose qualifications no one was able to gainsay, and on the 
8th of September he was employed to open a school in which 
all legal branches could be taught. Jacob Merrill, the new 
master, was said to have been an excellent Latin and Greek 
scholar. 

A town meeting was held July 30th to raise men to fill the 
call just made, and a committee was chosen "to procure the 
men on the towns cost." 

Ephraim Weed again appeared in the town meeting " and 
entered his decent against the whole proceedings of said meet- 
ing." The cause of this solitary opposition on the part of Mr. 
Weed is singular and cannot be explained. Until this instance 



278 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

all had been harmonious and without the least opposition. The 
leading patriots in town were unanimously sustained. 

Sept. 14th. A meeting was held and a committee chosen " to 
raise the men that are wanted for Soldiers on the best terms 
they can get them and on the town's cost." The men, how- 
ever, were not obtained on such terms as the committee felt 
authorized to offer, and on the 23d inst. another meeting was 
held and further instructions given, as follows : — 

" Voted to give some encouragement to the men that shall 
inlist or be drafted equal to one-third part of the training band 
list." 

"At the same meeting voted to make up die wages of each 
man that inlists or be drafted to twenty-four pounds per month 
with what they shall receive from the Continant and State." 

"Voted that the Selectmen and Committee of Safety be 
ordered to draft the men if the Committee cannot inlist them 
on the towns encouragement." 

This is the second threat to draft in case the men were not 
forthcoming ; but it is probable that the men were enlisted, as 
no more meetings were held until December 14th, and then 
simply for the usual town business. 

At this meeting it was "Voted to raise three thousand pounds 
to defray charges." 

"Voted, also, that the Selectmen sell those gunlocks and 
steel that belongeth to the town at the best terms they can." 

Thus closes the year 1778. It has been a very trying one 
to the people, who had little time to think of anything but bat- 
tles and recruits, and it becomes us who enjoy the blessings 
secured by the hardships and sufferings of these noble patriots 
to pause and consider their cost. We can never know the 
anxiety and distress which filled the hearts of those noble 
matrons, who so freely sent forth their husbands and sons to 
fight for their country. We may, however, to some extent 
express our gratitude by perpetuating their memory and hand- 
ing down to succeeding generations their patient toil and valor- 
ous deeds. 

The year closed with brighter prospects than the preceding 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 279 

one, and the assistance of France was, to say the least, timely. 

The fees for the committee who hired the soldiers from x'Vpril 
3d to September 28th were ,£36, 9 s., 4 d. 

Jacob Merrill, Thomas Clark and Samuel Brooks were school- 
masters this year. 

1779. 

Seth Kendrick received 3 d. per pound for collecting taxes. 

Capt. William Bagley, Obadiah Colby, Willis Patten, Wells 
Chase and John Barnard were the committee of correspondence, 
inspection and safety. 

"Voted that the Selectmen be allowed forty pounds for their 
services the ensuing year." 

"Greenbacks" had sadly depreciated since the war began, 
and the evil was assuming huge proportions, almost endanger- 
ing the patriot's cause. The large appropriations show the 
worthlessness of Continental money and the rapid decline it 
was making. 

"Voted to make a grant of one hundred dollars to each Sol- 
dier that is gone from this town into the three years Conti- 
nental service that have not left families, towards making up 
their wages on account of the depreciation of the money." 

May 17th. A meeting was held for the choice of a repre- 
sentative, and other purposes, and to consider the necessity for 
a "new Constitution or form of Government." The vote 
" passed in the affirmative, thirty-three in the affirmative, one in 
the negative." This vote not only shows the unanimity of the 
town, but, also, the size of the town meetings at this time. 
How many voters there were in town is not known, but only a 
minority were generally present. 

June 17th. A town meeting was held and Ensign Simeon 
Bartlett and Seth Kendrick were chosen to hire the men called 
for, and pay them in money or produce " as they can agree." 
At this meeting ^3000 were raised "towards defraying the 
charges of the town the present year." Money had depreciated 
very much and large sums were required for ordinary purposes. 

Aug. 5 th. In town meeting this day, John Barnard was 
chosen to attend the Constitutional convention. At this meeting 



280 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Ezra Worthen was chosen delegate to attend the convention at 
Concord the first Wednesday of October to regulate prices. 

"At the same meeting voted that the Committee of corre- 
spondence be a Committee to regulate prices of Inholders labor 
and other things not particular regulated by the Convention in 
July last." A futile attempt was this while the currency was 
every day becoming more worthless. Regulate the currency 
first and then less regulation would be required for other mat- 
ters. Our ancestors were famous for regulating everything by 
law, but this was a difficult subject. It was soon found that 
the committee was too small, and a meeting was called August 
nth to enlarge it, and Moses Chase, Deacon Orlando Sargent, 
Enoch Bagley, Lieut. Robert Rogers, Daniel Currier, Seth Ken- 
drick and Josiah Sargent were added. 

At an adjourned meeting August 16th, it was found that the 
committee was still too small, and Thomas Rowell, Ephraim 
Weed, the three selectmen, Capt. Robert Sargent, Thomas Per- 
son and Capt. John Sawyer were added. This committee, prob- 
ably, succeeded. At this meeting Capt. William Bayley was 
chosen selectman. 

"At the same meeting voted to give Mr John Bagley six 
dollars per week for supporting Mary Fowler for six months." 
It was only one year ago that Mr. Bagley agreed to keep her 
for 8 s. per week, showing a depreciation of more than 400 per 
cent. 

"At the same meeting voted that Capt Barnard Hoyt, Capt 
John Sawyer and Ensine Josiah Sargent be a Committee to see 
whether there is a .convenient place at Cottle's Landing on the 
towns land for Marchel Stocker to sett a house without being 
a public damage and make report at next meeting." Mr. 
Stocker was a soldier enlisted under the call of December 1776 
for every fourth man. It seems he was poor and unable to 
buy land to put his house on. 

Sept. 27th. At a town meeting held this day, it was "Voted 
to raise Eleven thousand three hundred and twenty pounds" 
for town charges, making in all ^14,320. At this meeting 
Matthias Hoyt, William Moulton, Stephen Kelley, Thomas Per- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 251 

son, Moses Chase and Enoch Bagley were chosen "to see that 
the regulating prices are kept." 

At the same meeting Deacon Orlando Sargent, Peleg Challis 
and Capt. John Currier were chosen a committee to see if there 
is a convenient place on the highway below Charles Weed's 
shop, against the land of Peleg Challis, for Charles Weed to 
set a house on, and make report at the next meeting. 

Oct. 13th. More men having been called for, the meeting 
held this day chose William Williams and Capt. William Bayley 
to procure the men. 

Lieut. George Worthen and Ezra Worthen attended the con- 
vention at Concord to regulate the prices this year. 

Jacob Merrill and Mr. Robinson were school-masters. 

1780. 

Ezra Jewell was chosen constable this year and allowed six 
pence on the pound for collecting. 

The committee of safety was still continued, and consisted of 
Ezra Jewell, David Blaisdell, Enoch Rogers, Stephen Kelley and 
Robert Rogers. This committee have had large powers during 
the war and, no doubt, rendered valuable service to the town. 

The depreciation of paper money is well shown by the fol- 
lowing vote: "Voted Enoch Rogers nine pounds, ten shillings 
a week for keeping Widow Hookley." 

May 4th. A meeting was called to consider the new Form 
of Government and the following vote was passed : " Voted to 
choose a committee to peruse the form of Gover c for amend- 
ment and report at the adjournment of this meeting." Five 
persons were chosen for the purpose, viz. : Col. Jonathan 
Bagley, Simeon Bartlett, Christopher Sargent, Timothy Barnard 
and Willis Patten. This was an able orthodox committee, and 
it is pretty certain that no part of the Form of Government 
escaped a critical examination. 

May 2 2d. We find no report of the foregoing committee, 
but the matter was referred to an adjournment of this meeting 
to be held on the 29th instant. At the adjournment, the third 
article of the Bill of Rights was rejected by thirteen yeas to four- 
teen nays. The remainder was approved by eight yeas to two 
nays. 36 



282 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The vote on the adoption of the Form of Government stood 
twenty-one yeas to nineteen nays. So it seems that Amesbury 
people were not much pleased with the new government, 
especially the third article of Rights, which allowed "every 
denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, 
and as good subjects of the Commonwealth protection under 
the law." Although for nearly a century the town had been 
obliged to tolerate other denominations, yet it was never allowed 
willingly or deemed necessary for the public good. This new- 
move was hardly in accordance with public feeling. 

June 12th. A town meeting was held to take measures to 
raise the men called for as soldiers for the army. The com- 
mittee of safety and the selectmen were authorized to hire the 
men, and the meeting was adjourned for one week. 

At the adjourned meeting a committee was appointed to hire 
all the men called for during the year. 

July 24th. A meeting was held to raise money for town 
expenses. 

"Voted to raise the sum of forty eight thousand four hund- 
red pounds by a tax on the polls and estates for the use of 
the town." This large sum really amounted to but little, owing 
to the depreciation of the paper money. 

Sept. 4th. At the state election to-day only twenty-one votes 
were cast for governor, of which number John Hancock, Esq., 
had fifteen. 

The General Court called upon the town for ten thousand 
three hundred and seventy pounds of beef forthwith. 

Oct. 10th. A meeting was called to see how the beef should 
be procured and to choose a representative under the new 
government. 

At this meeting Ezra Jewell and Seth Kendrick were chosen 
to procure the beef "as cheap as they can." Mr. Kendrick 
was a butcher at the Landing. 

"At the same meeting voted to raise ^16,000 to buy the 
said beef and also voted to make the rate by the old tenor." 

Col. Jonathan Bagley was chosen representative. 

Dec. 28th. A town meeting was held at the Sandy Hill 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 283 

meeting house, but " voted to adjourn the present meeting at 
Widow Esther Colby's Innholder immediately." It was, no 
doubt, a cold . day, and having no means of warming the large 
meeting house, it was thought best to adjourn to more comfort- 
able quarters. When they had again assembled, it was "Voted 
to raise the sum of forty eight thousand four hundred pounds 
by a tax on the polls and estates within this town a sum suffi- 
cient to purchase 199 12 lbs of beef called for for the use of the 
army to be drawn out of said ^48,400 the remainder to defray 
the charges of the town." 

"At the same meeting voted to raise two thousand pounds 
in hard money or paper money equivalent to hire the men 
called for." Twenty-one men had just been called for to serve 
three years or during the war. This vote was subsequently 
reconsidered and the matter left to the selectmen to hire the 
money. 

This money was hired of townsmen mostly, and on the list 
are the names of several women who loaned money to the 
town for war purposes, viz. : Rebecca Kelley, ^75 ; Widow 
Hannah Kelley, ^128; Widow Tabitha Barnard, ^280. The 
noble wives and mothers of those days were devotedly patriotic 
and contributed in every possible way to the support of the 
cause and the comfort of the poorly paid soldiers. 

Col. Jonathan Bagley died December 28th. He was one of 
Amesbury's most prominent men and had been of great service 
during the war in obtaining men for the army. His first appear- 
ance in public affairs was as a juryman in 1 740, but his prog- 
ress was rapid, for in 1 743 we find him chairman of the select- 
men. In 1758 he was elected representative and eleven times 
afterward. There was hardly an office which he did not fill 
and that very credibly. He was in the old French war and 
was quite a military man. At his death he was a large land- 
holder and gave away in his will nearly a thousand acres. 
He owned the farm at the Pond hills, where his father, Orlando 
Bagley, the clerk, lived, and gave it to his son, Orlando Bag- 
ley, who held it until his death. He was, probably, a great 
grandson of Orlando Bagley, who came with the first eighteen 



284 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

in 1654, and signed the first record book with them. He 
lived at the Ferry in the house near Bailey's wharf, having 
about half an acre of land under and about his buildings. 
He was a member of the General Court while the new gov- 
ernment was being formed, and was again elected in Octo- 
ber as first representative under that government. His age was 
sixty-three years, nine months, five days. 

Lieut. John Barnard attended the constitutional convention 
and received the following order : — 

" feb 18 ordered to Lt John Barnard for horse hire and for 
his time and expense in attending the Convention at Cam- 
bridge and Boston upon the form of government and for 100 
of three inch plank for a bridge ^357 — 14—0." 

This was a year of discouragement to the American cause. 
Scarcity of provisions, worthlessness of paper money and very 
general defeat by the Colonial forces cast a gloom over the 
whole land. The south was overrun by the enemy and, to 
crown all, Arnold came near delivering West Point, the only 
strong place of connection between New England and the Mid- 
dle States, to the British at New York. The government had 
no means of feeding the army and was obliged to call on the 
towns for large quantities of beef, and the amount furnished 
this year by Amesbury amounted to thirty-three oxen weigh- 
ing nine hundred pounds each, not a very small tax on this 
little town. In addition heavy taxes were levied, amounting to 
^112,800 in bills and $2000 in hard money or its equivalent. 

The winter of 1 780 is said to have been unusually severe, no 
perceptible thaw being seen for forty days, and most of this 
time was in March. The snow was very deep and hard, so 
that loaded teams could pass over the fences in any direction. 

May 19th. The celebrated "dark day," which old people 
have told us of, has been described by Bishop Edwards as fol- 
lows : — 

"On the morning of the 19th the sun was visible for a short 
time very early, but was soon over cast, and very black clouds 
were seen to rise suddenly and very fast from the West, the 
wind what there was of it at South West. The aforementioned 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 285 

clouds mixing with the vast quantities of smoke, occasioned by 
a general burning of the woods, caused, in the opinion of many 
this unusual alarming darkness, which began twenty minutes 
before eleven O. clock a. m. and lasted the whole day, tho' not 
equally dark the whole time. 

At Falmoth Casco bay it was not dark at all. I hear of 
darkness as far as Danbury in Connecticut." 

Joshua Coffin says : " In the memoirs of the American Acad- 
emy I find the following": "Candles were lighted up in the 
houses, the birds having sung their evening song disappeared 
and became silent, the fowls retired to roost, the cocks were 
crowing all around, as at break of day, objects could not be 
distinguished but a very little distance and everything bore the 
appearance of gloom and night." 

Nov. 1 8th. There was said to have been an earthquake 
near midnight. 

1781. 

The committee of safety were Dr. Aaron Sawyer, Stephen 
Blasdell, Orlando Sargent, Marchant Cleaves and Maj. William 
Hudson Ballard. 

The town "Voted to give Timothy Hoyt, jr., six hundred 
pounds as a gratuity for his being a prisoner in the year 1779." 

"Voted, also, that the Selectmen be and hereby are ordered 
that they keep a fair account of their time and expense in the 
service of the town and at the close of the year lay the same 
before the town for their allowance together with the accounts 
of the several other expenditures before they draw any orders on 
the Collector in their own favor." This seems to be ordering a 
town report, which custom has since prevailed. 

"Voted to give Daniel Chase jr 50 dollars per week for keep- 
ing Lydia Ordway until May Meeting." This vote shows the 
value of Continental money at this time. 

Jan. nth. A town meeting was held, at which the vote of 
last December was so far reconsidered as to order the select- 
men to procure the twenty-one men called for on the best 
terms "they can." Two thousand dollars in hard money were 
voted, but it would have been very difficult, if possible, to col- 
lect a tax in hard money, and hence the change. 



286 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"At the same meeting voted that a number of the inhabit- 
ants of the town may have liberty to build a School house where 
Doctor Ordway's Bake house formerly stood on their own cost 
for the benefit of the town." 

An effort was made at this meeting to find out the indebted- 
ness of the town, the whole expenditure since the beginning of 
the war and a proper account taken of their depreciated value. 
Capt. William Bayley, Enoch Rogers and Mr. Samuel Ordway 
were chosen a committee for that purpose. 

May 1 6th. A meeting was held and a committee chosen "to 
look over the Selectmen's account for the year 1780 for their 
services and make report to the town at the next meeting;" 
and also a committee was chosen "to look over Josiah Sar- 
gent's account for boarding the School Master and also on 
account of his being rated for Jacob Hoyt after he was twenty- 
one years old and make report at next meeting." This seems 
to have been an age of investigation, somewhat resembling the 
present. 

At the state election April 2d, the whole number of votes 
cast for governor was thirteen and for senators ten. 

June 28th. A meeting was held to take measures to hire 
the three men called for to serve in Rhode Island for five 
months, and a committee was chosen to procure the men at 
the town's cost. The selectmen were instructed to assess the 
sum of nine hundred and twenty-four pounds in hard money. 

July 10th. Another meeting was held and further measures 
taken to obtain the men, and the selectmen were authorized to 
borrow the money. Deacon John Hoyt and Ezra Jewell were 
chosen to purchase the beef called for, and then the meeting 
was adjourned to the 17th inst. 

July 17th. "Voted to allow Mr. Jewell the 630 dollars that 
was counterfeited of the money that was sent to pay for the 
beef," and the meeting was adjourned to August 2d. 

Aug. 2d. At this meeting it was "Voted that the Constables 
be ordered to collect immediately the one half the town rate 
committed to them in hard money." 

"Voted, also, the Committee appointed to purchase the beef 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 287 

be impowered to give notes in behalf of the town for hard 
money to those persons willing to spare the beef." 

It was a trying time : people had lost all confidence in paper 
money ; it had depreciated to almost nothing and was counter- 
feited even at that, and neither men nor beef could be obtained 
for it. Farmers had rather keep their oxen, and soldiers were 
not inclined to serve for nothing and starve their families. To 
obtain hard money was a difficult thing, as there really was but 
little in the state, and those possessing it were not inclined to 
part lightly with it, and hence the necessity of giving notes 
payable in hard money at some future time. 

Aug. 2 1 st. A meeting was held and Capt. William Bayley 
was chosen moderator. Measures were taken to raise the three 
three-months men now called for, and it was " Voted that the 
committee appointed to hire the three months men proceed to 
hire them on the same terms that those have been already 
hired viz, ten hard dollars bounty and twenty bushels of corn 
per month for each man." No laborer at home could earn 
such pay ; but the cause was at this time in a critical condi- 
tion, much more so than two months later, when Cornwallis had 
been compelled to surrender to Gen. Washington, amid the 
universal rejoicing of the people. The war was considered 
virtually closed and the hopes of the people were greatly 
revived. 

Since the settlement of the town the population of the various 
localities has been continually changing. At first nearly all the 
settlers were near the Powow river ; a little later the mill had 
gathered a little village at the falls ; later still fishing and ship- 
building built up quite a village at the Ferry ; and again the 
establishment of factories suddenly called a village into existence 
at the mills. While these changes were going on at the east 
end of the town, the west end had been steadily gaining in 
population and wealth, numbering among its people some of the 
most talented and enterprising citizens. The Pond-hills even had 
in some portion of the early history of the town a much larger 
population than at present, as the following document will show : 

"Sir Whereas By a Recommendation of the Provencial Con- 



288 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

gress in the year 1774 Did form a Company of Mallitia in that 
part of Amesbury called the pond hills to come so far east as 
that Brook called the Great Swamp Brook and Did appoint 
officers in said Company and actually march several times for 
the relief of the State when attacked and as your Company has 
been omitted in the Notification to meet and appoint your offi- 
cers — this Day we Desire that you would meet at some conve- 
nient place to morrow to appoint officers according to the New 
Mallitia Law. 

Amesbury April 25th 1781 

Capt. John Currier. 

Obadiah Colby, ~\ Selectmen 



Orlando Sargent, 

Wm. H. Ballard, i ^ 

Marcheant Cleaves. J Committee." 

So the Company organized by Capt. Currier as minute men 
in 1774 or 5 is yet to be preserved, and it ought to be for its 
prompt defence of the " State when attacked." 

1782. 

At the annual meeting it was " voted to put in a ferry boat 
at Amesbury Ferry and to agree with some person to tend it." 
A committee was chosen to purchase a boat and procure a 
person to tend it and report to the town. William Hudson Bal- 
lard was engaged to furnish boat and tend the ferry for a rea- 
sonable compensation. 

At a. later meeting a committee was chosen to collect all 
the papers relating to the original grant and lay them before 
learned Counsel to see if the ferry belonged to the town. This 
ferry has occasioned a good deal of trouble ; it was in law for 
many years previous to 1766, and now the question comes up 
again for settlement. The original grant was rather indefinite, 
some of the " inhabitants" petitioning and not the town author- 
ities. Under these circumstances the obstinate Capt. Hook 
being appointed to tend it, refused to give it up, contending 
that the town had nothing to do with it. 

The grant left it with "y e County Court to appoint both y e 
person y { is to keep it and also to appoint the price." And now 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 289 

the town puts on a man and boat and agrees to save him 
harmless in case of a law-suit. 

Another call is made upon the town for soldiers and the 
committee of safety was instructed to assist the selectmen in 
classing the town preparatory to a draft in case it should be 
found necessary. 

x\t the state election in April, Ezra Orne, Esq. received sixteen 
votes for Governor, and the Senators one vote each. Not very 
popular candidates. 

The following document in the clerk's office shows several 
items of interest : 

" East End Estates, ,£43,859 — 3 s — o d 

West End Estates, 42,470 — 8 — o 



Total of Estates, ,£86,329 — 11 s — od 

East End No. Polls, 231 1-2 

West End No. Polls, 163 1-2 



Total polls, 395 

to be raised. 
934—3—4 

395 Polls att £0 — 16 s — 8d pr Poll is 329 — 3 — 4 



605 — o — o 

Remains to be paid ,£605 upon ,£86,329 — 11 — o" 

The difference in valuation was far less in 1782 than a cen- 
tury later between the East and West parishes. 

May 1 6th. A town meeting was held. At the meeting it was 
" voted to choose a Committee to settle with all the Selectmen 
and beef Committee that have served since the present war and 
to see what is become of the town's steel and guns." 

July 2 2d. A town meeting was called to day in answer to the 
urgent demand from the State for money forthwith, and it was 
" voted that the Selectmen collect as much money as they can 
and so dismist the meeting." The demands for money came 
thick and fast, and the impossibility of meeting them was appar- 
ent to all, and under such circumstances the people were will- 
ing to trust the matter to their Selectmen. 

37 



29O HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Early in the year the town's representative was instructed to 
use his influence in the General Court for an application to 
Congress that in any negotiations with Great Britain for peace, 
the right to fish to be an indispensable article in the treaty. 

During the early days of the town, and even to a later date, 
the fishing was an important branch of business, furnishing a 
large amount of provisions for consumption and exportation, and 
many vessels were owned in town which were sent to the east- 
ward on fishing voyages. At the close of the war they very 
naturally looked forward to the time when a large fleet would 
be employed in the fisheries, and were careful to see that their 
rights were secured in that respect. 

1783. 

A meeting was held January 2 2d to see if the town would 
raise any money for town expenses, and it was " Voted not to raise 
any money." It was very hard times and, although the town 
was in debt and needing money for many purposes, yet it was 
almost impossible for the people to obtain hard money, and 
there is little wonder that they were disposed to put off all 
payments. 

The selectmen laid their accounts before the town, as ordered, 
and had them allowed. For their services they received : " Eph- 
raim Weed ^7 4 s — Enoch Bagley £6 1 s — Matthias Hoyt 
^7 8 s and expense and paper." 

The town had on hand at this time two law- suits : one with 
Capt. Timothy Barnard and the other with Jacob Worthen. 
The nature of these suits are not stated, but the selectmen were 
instructed to "defend compromise or refer" them as they 
thought proper. 

At the April meeting the vote for governor stood : John Han- 
cock, nine ; Azor Orne, twelve ; James Bordwain, five ; Capt. 
William Bayley, two, thus making twenty-eight votes cast. The 
senatorial vote was unanimous at seventeen. There were not 
less than four hundred polls in town, and yet but a very 
small fraction of them were generally present at town meetings. 

During the progress of the war we have sometimes found a 
slight opposition manifested at town meetings, but have never 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 29 I 

attributed It to toryism or want of patriotism ; even on the 1 3th 
of March, 1775, when the town voted not to raise any minute 
men, the act of adjourning to the 20th inst. shows that further 
time was needed for consideration only. If there was a particle 
of doubt, it must forever be dispelled on the passage of the 
following unanimous vote this year : — 

"Voted that this town will at all times as they have done to 
the utmost of their power oppose every enemy to the just 
rights and liberty of mankind and after that so wicked a con- 
spiracy against those Rights and liberty by certain Ingrates 
most of them natives of States and who have been refugees and 
declared Traitors to their Country, it is the opinion of this 
town that they ought never to be suffered to return but be 
excluded from having lot or portion among us." 

Thus boldly spoke Amesbury concerning tories. Every pos- 
sible exertion had been made during the almost hopeless strug- 
gle to raise men to fill the numerous calls. More than sixty- 
five thousand dollars had been hired to pay bounties and out- 
fits, and very large indebtedness had been incurred. The war 
now being ended, it was proper that some of its burdens should 
be borne by posterity, for they were to reap its benefits. 

1784. 

The price fixed for labor on the highway was "three shillings 
per day," and ^60 were raised to repair the highways. A com- 
mittee was chosen to look out the location for a road from the 
Ferry to Clapboard landing at South Amesbury, with instructions 
to report at an adjourned meeting, and then made the following 
report : — ■ 

"Amesbury March 18th 1784. We the subscribers being 
appointed by the town at their meeting on the eighth day 
of this instant to view the way petitioned for by Samuel Fol- 
lingsbee and others from the way by Elijah Flanders by or near 
Merrimack River to the way near Mr Stephen Patten's on to 
Clapboard Landing, Have attended said service and are of 
opinion that said way would be of general service and that it 
would accommodate some persons very much, therefore are of 
opinion that if said way can be opened without any cost to the 



292 HISTORY OK AMESBURY. 

town as petitioned for are of opinion that the prayer of said 
petition should be granted and doubt not but that a consider- 
able will be done by way of subscription to make the way pass- 
able. Ens Simeon Bartlett, 

Maj Barnard Hoyt, 
Capt John Sawyer, 
Capt Christopher Sargent, 
Lieut Ezra Worthen." 

The report was accepted. 

The above road commenced at Elijah Flanders' house, which 
adjoined Eliphalet Martin's at the Ferry, and was to be laid 
out through Pleasant valley to South Amesbury. 

April 5th. A meeting was held and the petition of Joseph 
Wingate and others for a highway from Moses Sargent's to 
Thomas Rowell's, Esq., without any cost to the town, was 
accepted ; but the petitioners were required to lay it out two 
rods wide. It was found that the land would not be given for 
the River road, as was expected by the committee, and an arti- 
cle was inserted in the warrant of September 16th to see if 
the town would buy the land ; but no vote appears to have 
been taken, and the petition was presented to the court of ses- 
sions for a committee to view and lay out the way. 

Nov. 12th. A meeting was held and a committee chosen 
"to attend on" the court committee at Stephen Patten's on 
the 30th inst., but no instructions were given and it does not 
appear whether this committee were to oppose or approve the 
plan. 

There was some difficulty between the town and Rev. Thomas 
Hibbert about his taxes, which he was compelled to pay, he 
being, as he saith, a Presbyterian minister. He commenced a 
suit against the selectmen for the recovery of the tax, and the 
town chose a committee to defend the same. Mr. Hibbert 
addressed a letter to the selectmen, to be communicated to the 
meeting, of which the following is an extract : — 

" And on the other 'hand, That the town discharges me from 
all obligation to pay any Town Rate or Rates after that to 
which The Lawsuit refers during The Time I shall be Minister 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 293 

in the Presbyterian Society to which I belong. If the town 
consents to the above proposal I hereby unite with Them and 
engage to let drop the suit. Amesbury Nov 3, 1786." 

Mr. Hibbert's long-continued intemperate habits had finally 
occasioned his discharge from the First church, but, as usual 
in such cases, a minority adhered to its former pastor. A new 
society was organized, a new meeting house built and Mr. Hib- 
bert installed as pastor. Mr. Hibbert now styles himself a 
Presbyterian and the society takes that name. The town, how- 
ever, had taxed him, and it was to get rid of these taxes that 
the suit was commenced. 

Previous to the building of the new church, "the town called 
a .meeting to remonstrate against its erection, for the following 
reasons : "Whereas this meeting are informed that Messers 
David Tuxbury, Thomas Boardman and Joseph Adams all of 
Salisbury & others are about to erect a house for public Wor- 
ship in this town and as the Meeting houses are sufficient to 
accommodate all the inhabitants for public worship therefore 
Voted that the Selectmen remonstrate to the said David Tux- 
bury and others against their erecting said house for public 
worship as illegal and tending to disturb the peace and good 
order of the regular and legal religious society in this town and 
as we apprehend contrary to peace of the Commonwealth." 

Whether the Commonwealth was in peril from David Tuxbury 
or not, the contest is not yet settled, for Mr. Hibbert's friends 
are determined, and we shall again find them troubling the 
town. 

Oct. 13th. The Rev. Benjamin Bell was ordained as pastor 
over the First church by an ecclesiastical council. 

1785. 

At the annual meeting ^150 were raised to repair the high- 
ways, and 3 s. per day for "man and ox" were allowed. The 
selectmen were allowed £6 each for their services. 

The question of making the Merrimac river the dividing line 
between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, seems to have been 
contemplated and the town " voted to choose a Committee to Join 
with Salisbury and the other towns to see what method to take 



294 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

to be set off to the State of New Hampshire." The river 
would form a very natural boundary and should have been the 
original line, but no change was effected by this effort. 

Early in the year a meeting was held at the house of " Mrs. 
Widow Easther Colbys" to organize the militia of the town in 
the East parish. It was decided to make two companies, 
divided as follows: "All south of the country road to the par- 
ish line from widow Esther Colby's to belong to the south 
company, and all that lies on each side of the country road 
above Mr. Bell's meeting house, including the families of Eph- 
raim Weed and Isaac Weed, all the rest of the parish to the 
north of said country road belong to the north company." 

Samuel Blaisdell was chosen captain, Nathaniel White first 
lieut. and Thomas Worthen second lieut. of the south com- 
pany, but they resigning, Nathaniel White was chosen captain, 
Samuel Follansbee first lieut. and John Blaisdell second lieut. 
John Barnard was chosen captain, Ephraim Weed jr. first lieut. 
and Isaac Barnard second lieut. of the north company. The 
companies were known as " Mills" and "Ferry" companies. 

April 4th. At Governor meeting, Hon. Thomas Gushing 
received twelve votes for Governor. 

April 1 3th. Ice in the Merrimac strong enough for crossing, 
and on the 16th, snow two feet deep and frozen very hard.* 

Moses Chase received liberty to set a shop on the town's 
land at the Ferry, by keeping the bank wall in repair. 

Elder Moses Chase and William Bagley were this year returned 
to the Assessors of the East parish as " Antipedo Baptists at 
Southampton, N. H." 

At this time the young minister Bell was very popular and it 
was thought advisable to give him better accommodations, and 
a lot was bought opposite the , store of the late William Bart- 
lett, and the erection of a parish house and barn commenced. 
This house, which many well remember, and which is yet stand- 
ing, cost the parish ,£236, 2 s., 9 d. The barn cost ^"21, 
14 s., 5 d. They were not completed this year, but were so far 
finished as to be occupied. 

The lot and buildings are now owned by Mr. Daniel Hunt- 
ington. * David Lowell's Diary. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 295 

A new meeting-house was built this year at Rocky Hill in 
Salisbury, which is yet in a good state of preservation, as will 
be seen by the engraving. At present there are few belonging 
to the society, and meetings are only held during warm weather. 



ROCKY HILL MEETING-HOUSE. 

1786. 

Rev. Thomas Hibbert's proposition for the abatement of his 
taxes came up at an adjournment of the annual meeting, and 
it was very emphatically settled as follows : 

" Voted that we will not take off any Rates that are against 
him said Hibbard or shall be made for the time to come." 

Mr. Hibbert's society again petitioned the General Court for an 
act of incorporation as a Presbyterian society, and met with the 
same determined opposition from the town as in 1 784. A 
committee was chosen consisting of Capt. John Barnard, En- 
sign Simeon Bartlett, Lieut. Willis Patten, Capt. William Bayley 
and Capt. Robert Rogers to consider the matter and make 



296 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

report to the town at an adjourned meeting. This was a strong 
committee, and their report was well drawn and presented the 
strongest points of objection in the clearest light. The report 
was accepted, but its length must exclude it from this work. 
It set forth very plainly the fact that the two parishes had in 
past times as well as at present maintained teachers of piety and 
religion, complying with every obligation of duty laid upon 
them. It further set forth the sufferings of the East parish in 
consequence of Mr. Hibbert's long continued habits of immor- 
ality, until January 14th, 1783, when, as many times before, he 
became guilty of " gross immorality" and the people were com- 
pelled to stand up for their rights which had been invaded so 
long. This lengthy and able report was forwarded to the Gen- 
eral Court by Peleg Challis, the representative. 

Specific charges were, also, made and sworn to and the whole 
matter brought before the Presbytery. Mr. Hibbert, after prom- 
ising to acquit the parish on certain conditions, agreeing not to 
disturb it by attempting to preach in the meeting-house, had, 
after very inconsistent manceuvering, utterly failed to keep his 
promise. That after several parish meetings it was found that 
two to one were against him, and yet that he claimed that a 
majority of the church was in sympathy with him and that he 
was the legal pastor still ; but that he knew better, and an eccle- 
siastical council had so decided against him. That they had 
settled an able minister, that their house was large enough to 
hold all the people, and that the experiment of granting every 
new society would prove a very dangerous one, dividing the 
public into numerous sects ; that there would have been no 
trouble if Salisbury people had not interfered in the matter ; 
that said meeting-house is no more than sixty-two rods from 
the parish meeting-house. Various other objections were urged 
and reasons given why the society should not be incorporated. 
It, also, sets forth that a remonstrance was made by the town 
before the house was raised, June 7th, 1784. 

The house was built on Ferry street, between the house of 
Daniel Huntington and the late Ezekiel Barnard's, and is now 
occupied by Mr. Huntington for a barn. It is a hopper-roof 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



297 



building and was moved to its present position soon after it 
was built. It was commonly known at the time as the "Still." 

Mr. Hibbert owned the farm at Whitehall recently known as 
the "Goodhue farm," and lived there until his death. He was 
an able preacher and sound in the doctrine of those times, and 
but for his habits of intemperance, would have been very pop- 
ular. He had the name of being harsh in his sermons, denounc- 
ing the use of spirituous liquors in even rash terms ; but it was 
under the influence of this curse that he did so. He was a 
man of strong will, but, unlike Rev. Thomas Wells, he was not 
apt to control it properly. His bad habit made him oblivious 
to promises made with the parish in good faith. The last of 
his days could not be said to have been "his best." He 
owned a slave by the name of "Scipio," who was, probably, 
very black, which gave rise to the common adage : "black as 
Scip Hibbert." Scip was one of those cunning, sly negroes, 
who understood perfectly how to play the shirk and get along 
easily. Occasionally he was intentionally so careless that his mas- 
ter had to drive him out of the field for cutting up corn instead 
of weeds. 

The vote for governor was again very small, John Hancock 
receiving nine and James Badwine eight votes. 

There seemed to be strong opposition to sending a represent- 
ative, and it had to be decided "by drawing out of the meet- 
ing house." 

The sum of ^200 was raised for town expenses, and 3 s. 
were allowed for labor on the highways. 

The proposition to build an almshouse in connection with 
Salisbury came before the town and was decided in the affirm- 
ative. 

The subject of a union workhouse has several times been 
before the town and always approved, but other towns failed to 
join in the measure. 

A family of negroes, by the name of Mingo, were living in 
town at this time and needed some assistance. The town 
"Voted that the Selectmen put out the on Nigar Boy for 2 s., 
6 d. a week." This was, probably, one of the family. 

38 



298 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

" Voted to give William Barnard six shillings a week to keep 
negro Fanny before she is sick and 1 1 s., 6 d. per week for 4 
weeks after she is brought a bed." 

A movement was made in 1784 towards opening a road 
along the river side from Eliphalet Martin's, through Pleasant 
valley on to Clapboard landing. This road would seem indis- 
pensible to us at the present day, but not so to many people 
a century ago. It was strongly opposed by the town, and, to 
defeat the measure, a town meeting was held June 26th, when 
it was "Voted that the town will show cause why the prayer 
of the petition should not be granted." 

It was thought to be a very expensive undertaking, as well 
as difficult to make a road along those precipitous banks, over 
creeks and marshes for several miles, and a majority were deter- 
mined to stop the proceedings. 

A committee was chosen, consisting of Nehemiah Davis. 
Capt. John Barnard, Enoch Rogers, Capt. Matthias Hoyt and 
Isaac Merrill, Esq., to report at an adjourned meeting the rea- 
sons why the road should not be laid out. 

The report, which contained but few sound reasons against 
the road, was made and accepted. The first reason against its 
being built was the inability of the town on account of the 
large town debt. This was the best and only reason offered by 
the committee which could have weight. 

Second : That it would do more hurt than good to land- 
holders in that vicinity, as they now have as good privileges as 
the town in general, having a road at one end of their lots and 
a i-iver at the other end, with three cross-roads within the 
length of the proposed road. 

Third : The plea that it was needed to encourage ship build- 
ing was fallacious, for there was no need of more ship-yards or 
carpenters, as one-half the ship-yards were idle at present. 
That, a plan which had been made of the old road from Hav- 
hill showed that this road was but thirty-three rods nearer and. 
also, that the main road was a mile nearer than this one ; that 
both of said roads were open and in good repair. 

Fourth : That the way will require many expensive bridges 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



2 99 



and the low, soft land must be raised, requiring bank walls, and 
the steep bluffs will wash down, filling the road at every storm 
which, with the causeways needed, will swell the expense to a 
very great sum. 

Fifth : One hundred and sixty rods of interval land is over- 
flowed in the Bradstreet farm occasionally, and must be raised 
and stones and wood must be brought for that purpose at great 
expense. 

In the foregoing I have given the substance of the principal 
objections, as the length of the report prevents its insertion 
entire. 

The committee took the worst possible view of the route, 
as the facts subsequently showed. Instead of crossing the inter- 
vale on the Bradstreet farm, it was located on the high ground 
where it was easily worked without stones and timber. In fact, 
many difficult points were shunned, and the road proved less 
expensive than was anticipated, and more desirable. 

Aug. 26th. A town meeting was held and Deacon Orlando 
Sargent was engaged to keep Fanny Mingo's son, who was 
about five years old, till twenty-one years of age for nine pounds, 
and the boy was bound to him by the town. 

Nov. 3d. At a town meeting this day the trouble with Mr. 
Hibbert was settled by his abating his writ and the town 
abating his unpaid taxes. 

The following are the principal supporters of Mr. Hibbert 
under the name of Presbyterians, viz. : Benjamin Lurvey, Wil- 
liam Lurvey, Benjamin Merrill, Joseph Hoyt, Timothy Currier, 
Barnard Currier, Enoch Currier, Daniel Tuxbury, Daniel Quinby, 
Eliphalet Lowell, Timothy Challis, Ebenezer True, Oliver 
Titcomb, Richard Morrill, Thomas Moody, David Tuxbury, 
Isaac Tuxbury, Daniel Wait, Moses Tuxbury and Marchant 
Cleaves. 

It is possible that some of Mr. Hibbert's followers had been 
induced to leave the old society in consideration of his preach- 
ing without pay, which he had agreed to do. It was known as 
the "Free Society," which feature sustained it for a while. The 
old society could not afford to lose so many paying members, 
and this fact added to the bitterness of the contest. 



300 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The famous Shay's rebellion happened in the latter part of 
the year and caused great excitement, A call was made for 
soldiers and the town responded by enlisting sixteen men, viz. : 
Samuel Merrill, Samuel Barnard, Simeon Bartlett, jr., Ichabod 
Titcomb, Thomas Colby, Samuel Foot, Barnard Lowell, John 
Colby, Ephraim Gale, David Currier, Enoch Bartlett, Jacob 
Sargent, Robert Sargent, Moses Sargent, Nathaniel Proctor and 
Jacob Hoyt. 

In a petition for pay, they stated that they had a hard time 
by reason of cold and night marches. It was in winter time 
and, no doubt, they spoke the truth. 

The West parish refused to pay the Rev. Mr. Wingate his 
salary in 1784 and he commenced a suit which was kept in 
court till this year, when he obtained judgment and an execu- 
tion against it. 

Mr. Wingate was quite aged, having preached to the people 
for fifty-eight years, only four years less than Mr. Well's long 
pastorate in the East parish, and it may have been that his ser- 
vices were not as acceptable as in his younger days. 

A petition was sent to the General Court for leave to sell 
the parsonage land, and a resolve was passed authorizing the 
sale. 

The pasture land near Maj. Barnard Hoyt's was sold to 
Thomas Lanckester for ^27. The marsh owned with the East 
parish was sold to Deacon Orlando Sargent for ^15, 18 s., and 
the " acer Peace of Marsh to Christopher Sargent for £8, 8 s." 

It was decided that the money arising from the sale should 
be laid out by the committee " for the School House Lote so 
called containing about eighteen acers to be kept for the use of 
the Ministry of said Parish for ever hereafter which Land cost 
the sum of 51 — 6 — o." 

The parish changed their minds very suddenly, however, 
and the next meeting decided to sell the "School house 
lot" and, also, the "small pox house" which they owned, 
and take the money to pay Mr. Wingate. Deacon Orlando 
Sargent bought the pasture for ^51, 6 s., and Robert Hoyt 
the "small pox house" for ,£13, 10 s. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 3OI 

1787. 

"Voted that the Soldiers which have been in the service the 
winter past shall have the dollar each which they received of 
the Selectmen as a bounty from the town, and that it shall not 
be deducted from their wages." These soldiers had been called 
out to assist in quelling the Shay rebellion. The condition of the 
country at this time was anything but satisfactory, and the rebell- 
ion simply showed the ill feeling which very generally prevailed. 
In fact, the times were believed to be so critical that a town 
meeting was called for the purpose of instructing the represent- 
ative-elect, Mr. Peleg Challis ; and Lieut. Ezra Worthen, Doctor 
Aaron Sawyer, Moses Chase, Capt. Benjamin Lurvey and John 
Kelley were chosen to draft the instructions. They were 
reported at an adjourned meeting, and as they embody a large 
amount of practical, common-sense doctrine, they will be given 
entire : — 

" To Mr Peleg Challis Sir : 

You being chosen to represent this town in the great and 
General Court for the year 1787 and as the said court is to be 
convened and held at Boston on the 31st of January 1787 
therefore the following instructions are presented to you from 
this town as part of the Rule of your conduct in said General 
Court during your continuing a member of said Court : — 

First : You are not to act nor consent to anything against 
the present constitution as we look upon it to be the basis or 
foundation of security to every individual for life, liberty, pros- 
perity and character. 

Secondly : For obvious reasons we recommend and desire 
you to use your influence to have the General Court removed 
from the town of Boston. 

Thirdly : The court of Common Pleas is viewed by many to 
be rather a burden than a public benefit therefore we desire 
you to use your influence in case this subject should come 
before the General Court to have them set aside. 

Fourthly: Another thing calls for your attention that is. the 
scarcity of cash and the low ebb of trade and the want of 
employment for Mechanics of almost every branch and the 



302 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

heavy taxes that we now labor under are grievous and burden- 
some, therefore it is the opinion of many we might say of most 
all that the Salaries of some of the principal Officers of Gov- 
ernment having been granted at a time when the circulation of 
cash was vastly greater than at present, therefore they now 
become excessive and disproportionate to the ability of the 
people to pay therefore we think ought to be reduced which 
we think may be done without infringing on the Constitution 
by voting all Government salaries on the last sittings of the 
General Court for the next insuing year therefore you are to 
use your best endeavors to have them salaries voted at the next 
sitting of the General Court and that they are reduced to a 
reasonable sum. 

Fifthly : And we could wish that a system of laws might be 
adopted as would tend to diffuse virtue and industry, and the 
cultivation of our own manufactures of every kind as much as 
possible, as we conceive that this is the only means of extri- 
cating us out of our present difficulty and embarrassed situation. 

Sixthly : In the present dangerous and critical situation of 
affairs we feel ourselves under the most sacred obligations of 
duty to enjoin on you that you use your utmost endeavor that 
the difficulties that has arisen in this State may and that if 
possible brought to a happy conclusion without the shedding of 
blood we depricate the unhappy situation of this State when we 
find many of our fellow citizens in arms in a most tumultuous 
manner which we fear may be our ruin. 

Seventhly : We apprehend that the present mode of appro- 
priating the import and excise is not the most eligible but was 
it to be applied towards the discharge of the foreign debt it 
would answer a much 'more necessary and important purpose. 

Eighthly : Another thing calls for your attention that is for 
you to use your influence that all petitions that may be pre- 
sented or brought before the General Court may be duly 
attended to. 

But sir we relying on your good conduct make no doubt but 
that you will pay the utmost regard to these our desires so as 
may lay in your power and concest with the spirit of the con- 
stitution." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 303 

April 2d. Votes for Governor as follows : John Hancock 45. 
James Bowdoin 4. 

May 14th. " Voted to raise two hundred pounds to defray 
the charges of- the town." 

" Voted that the Selectmen sell the shovels, Axes and Pick 
axes at the best advantage." 

" Voted that the Selectmen look up the town guns and if 
any person refuse to deliver them up when called for to pro- 
ceed to prosecution." 

The guns were lent during war time^ to those who had none. 
Most of them came in chests from France, aud were distributed 
through the towns, and one or more chests were had and dis- 
tributed in Amesbury, some of which may still be found in fam- 
ilies and one or more at the Natural History rooms at the 
Mills. 

Dec. 10th. The river road having become a fixed fact the 
town instructed the selectmen to settle the damages for land, 
but they were unable to do so and the receipts show that the 
Court of Sessions made the award. Congress made a grant for 
lights on Plum Island this year. 

West Parish. A new meeting house has been built this or 
last year, as we find on the parish record, " Nov. 19 ordered 
to Stephen Clemens for making provision for the dedication of 
the Meeting House jQi — o — o." 

This house was removed after the new church was built, pro- 
bably about 1842 or 1848. 

1788. 

One hundred pounds were raised for repairs of highways, 
and three shillings allowed per day for work. 

Three hundred pounds were raised for town expenses. 

April 7th. The Governor vote was, for John Hancock 32. 
for Elbridge Gerry 14. 

July 7th. A meeting was held in regard to a new valuation, 
and the selectmen were ordered to take a new valuation, and 
allowed 2 s. 6d. per day, 6 d. less than for work on the road. 

Dec. 18. This is a noted day for the election of the first 
President of the United States. The meeting was called at Mr. 



3°4 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



Bell's meeting-house, but before proceeding to business an ad- 
journment was ordered to widow Esther Colby's. It may have 
been a cold day and a little of her warm flip would be very 
acceptable and comforting. The few in attendance thought it 
advisable to adjourn again, and this time to meet on the 2 2d 
at the West meeting house. Strange as it may seem the privi- 
lege of voting for the first president did not awaken much 
enthusiasm, and the meeting was again adjourned back to Mr. 
Bell's meeting house on the 23d. With all this accommodation 
the two electors only received 22 votes each, and the repre- 
sentative to Congress 24. 

The West parish meeting house dedicated last year but not 
wholly completed, was painted this year, and it required 33 2-3 
bushels of flax seed to make the " oyl." Deacon Orlando Sar- 
gent and Capt. Robert Rogers made the oil and received^i, 4 s. 6 d. 
for their services. At this time there were oil mills in town and 
linseed oil was made at home. It was customary for every 
farmer to raise flax, and few if any neglected to do so. 

1789. 

This year is specially noted for the visit of President Wash- 
ington to Amesbury while on his northern tour. On leaving 
Newburyport he passed up High street to the ancient ferry oppo- 
site Amesbury, where he crossed the Merrimac, landing at the 
foot of the court between the houses of Nathan Nutter and 
Jonathan Morrill ( the latter then being the tavern of Ebenezer 
Pearson ) and passed up to the main street. The north side 
of the street, where the block now stands, was then an open 
field and was lined with soldiers to receive his Excellency. 
According to tradition there was a foreign vessel lying in the 
stream with her flag floating above the stars and stripes, which 
was noticed by Washington. Numbers immediately rushed to 
their boats and in a few moments the flag was hauled to the 
deck, leaving the American flag above all, as it should have 
been at first. From the Ferry he crossed the Powow river, 
passing through the Point to Rocky Hill, where several com- 
panies of soldiers were drawn up to receive him. A soldier 
who stood in the ranks that day informed me " that he passed 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 305 

through the soldiers filed on either side, with his hat in his 
hand, a tall noble looking man." Many of the soldiers who 
had served under him were living at this time and were, no 
doubt, eager to see this great chief. Capt. Currier, who dined 
with him at Cambridge, was, no doubt, there to pay his 
respects. 

On the 3d of June the Rev. Francis Welch was ordained 
pastor of the Second church in Amesbury. The services were 
conducted as follows : Prayer by Rev. Mr. Cummings ; sermon 
by Rev. Mr. Merrill ; second prayer by Rev. Mr. Noyes ; charge 
by Rev. Mr. Webster ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. 
Adams ; concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Peabody ; benediction 
by the pastor. 

Since the termination of Mr. Wingate's pastorate the follow- 
ing ministers supplied, viz. : Messrs. Noyes, Bradford, Allen, 
Parish, Parker, True, Marsh, Porter, Wilder and Welch. Mr. 
Welch was a young man, being only twenty-three years old 
when ordained pastor of this church. 

1790. 

The town voted to raise ,£250 for current expenses this 
year. 

Schools were provided for by the following vote : — 

"Voted that the Selectmen shall procure a Reading and writ- 
ing school as the law directs." 

For the repairing of highways it was "Voted to raise a tax 
of one shilling and six pence on a pole and the estates in 
proportion as other town taxes is made to repair the highways." 

The selectmen were ordered to provide timber and complete 
the bridge over Goodwin's creek " as soon as may be." So it 
would seem that the Pleasant Valley road was not yet passable, 
though it was now three years since the first attempt to locate 
a public road there. There ought to have been a road by the 
river side a century before. 

Abraham Morrison, a very original and eccentric person, 
applies to be admitted a member of the Society of Friends at 
Amesbury, but is not at present successful. He lived in Salis- 
bury and at a later period became somewhat noted for his 
oddities. 



306 HISTORY OK AMESBURY. 

1791. 

The following will serve to show the interest felt in elections 
at this time : — 

April 4th. John Hancock received thirty-five votes for gov- 
ernor. 

Stephen Choate received thirty votes for county treasurer. 

John Pickering received twenty-nine votes for register of 
deeds. 

May 9th. "Voted to raise two hundred pounds to defray 
the charges this present year." 

" Voted that the Selectmen be impowered to let out the 
town's ferry that is kept acrost Merrimac River near Sargent's 
Creek so called for a term of time as they shall think proper 
to the highest bidder." 

"Voted to choose a committee to inspect and regulate the 
Schools in the town of Amesbury this present year, and the 
following persons were chosen : Rev. Francis Welch, Capt. 
John Barnard, Capt. Joseph Hoyt, Ens. Simeon Bartlett, Eph- 
raim Weed, jr. Willis Patten, Matthias Hoyt and John Kelley." 

During the latter part of this year the question of a bridge 
across the Merrimac was agitated and the town called a meet- 
ing to oppose the project. A committee was chosen to draw 
up a remonstrance against an act of incorporation, which the 
representative was to present. Should this bridge be built, it 
would render useless the ferry, which had for more than a cen- 
tury been the general resort of all, and about which Capt. Hook 
gave so much trouble to the town. 

The petition for leave to build the bridge at Deer island was 
from Nathaniel Carter and eight others, and they were success- 
ful in obtaining a charter. 

The canal across the meadows, connecting Black Rock creek 
and a creek from Hampton river, was dug this year and is one 
mile and a quarter long. 

1792. 

This annual meeting voted to sell the collectorship to the 
lowest bidder, which practice has occasionally prevailed in later 
times. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 307 

r Fhe presidential election was held November 2d and only 
fourteen votes were cast, which were unanimous for George 
Washington. It was a very small vote for such an occasion. 

The town raised ^"200 for town expenses the current year. 

The Essex Merrimac bridge, chartered last year, was completed 
during the month of November. Its length is one thousand 
and thirty feet and the highest arch is thirty- seven feet above 
high water. It was seven months in building, and was under 
the superintendency of Timothy Palmer. 

The town granted Ebenezer True leave to set up a mill on 
the stream now occupied by the Merrimac Hat Company. This 
grist mill was standing in a dilapidated condition as late as 
1825. The stones were brought across the river from near 
Annis' rocks, where a mill was in operation some years previ- 
ous. 

1793. 

Two hundred pounds were raised for town charges the pres- 
ent year. 

The small-pox made its appearance again in town, and in 
October a meeting was held and measures taken to build a 
house "to receive those persons in that shall have the misfor- 
tune to be taken with the small pox." The matter soon 
became so alarming that a second meeting was called Novem- 
ber 15th, when it was decided to set up a hospital to receive 
those who should be inoculated for the small pox, provided a 
suitable place could be found which would not damage any 
one. The selectmen, assisted by Capt. Joseph Hoyt, Peleg 
Challis, Deacon Orlando Sargent, Christopher Sargent and Capt. 
Robert Rogers, were authorized to establish rules and regula- 
tions in regard to the management of the hospital. 

Various petitions for roads were laid before the town, but 
none were granted, with the exception of the change of loca- 
tion at or near John Sawyer's, jr., to the bank of the river. 

Dec. 15th. Rev. Francis Welch died, aged twenty-eight 
years, having spent about four years in the ministry at the West 
parish. 



308 HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 

1794. 

The small-pox still prevailed and the selectmen took the 
house of Elijah Jones, situated on the east side of the Kimball 
road, midway between the houses of David Currier and Moses 
Tuxbury for a pest-house. The cellar may yet be seen partially 
filled with small stones. A few years later the house was 
bought by the late Joseph Merrill and removed to the corner 
of the Martin road, where George W. Bartlett now lives. 

Mr. Hastings then lived in the house torn down a few years 
ago by David Currier, and his pasture joined Mr. Jones' land, 
so that he was sometimes obliged to go within some thirty or 
forty rods of the pest-house for his cows. In doing this he 
caught the disease and died with it. 

Oct. 13th. A town meeting was held to make provisions for 
the soldiers whom the town had been called upon to furnish, 
and who were liable to march at a moment's warning. It was 
decided to offer a bounty of 12 s., and, in case of marching, to 
make up their pay to eight dollars per month. For what pur- 
pose these soldiers were inlisted does not fully appear ; but the 
country was nearly in open war with England and in actual 
hostilities with the western Indians. 

The Powow river bridge was in need of repairs and a com- 
mittee was chosen to prepare stones for its re-building. 

Joseph Wingate, a son of Rev. Pain Wingate, was this year 
a candidate for Congress, receiving most of the votes in his 
native town. 

Rev. Ebenezer Cleaveland commenced his labors in the East 
parish in the early part of this year. February 10th he 
received £6 for preaching. 

William Bayley recorded the deed of the Sandy Hill meeting- 
house lot, which was executed in 1757. 

AMESBURV AND SALISBURY ARTILLERY COMPANY. 

There are yet many living who remember this noted com- 
pany, which always attracted special attention on muster days. 
The company was organized this year by order of the com- 
mander-in-chief, dated February 20th. Major-General Fish was 
authorized to raise one other company of artillery in the sec- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 309 

ond brigade, and, on die 20th of March, the officers of die 
new company were commissioned as follows, viz. : William Lur- 
vey, captain ; Ephraim Morrill, first lieutenant ; James Lowe, 
second lieutenant. Soon after, a battalion was formed includ- 
ing this company, and Capt. William Cross, of the Newbury- 
port artillery, was elected major and Jonathan Webster, of Ames- 
bury, was appointed adjutant. The uniform adopted was blue, 
trimmed and faced with red, and further ornamented with gilt 
buttons. The caps were bell-topped and glazed, with more or 
less trimming, somewhat according to rank, surmounted with a 
fine scarlet plume. In 1800 Capt. Lurvey was elected major. 
The head-quarters of the company was at the gun house, .near 
"Gun House" lane at Bartlett's corner, where two brass field 
pieces were kept ready for use at general musters. From all 
sections of the towns came these showy soldiers on muster days, 
and " Bartlett's Corner" was then a very lively place. 

1795. 

The town appropriated .£250 for the repairing of highways 
and agreed to allow 4 s. per day for men and the same for 
oxen. 

The towns of Salisbury and Amesbury were ordered to re-build 
the Powow river bridge, and Amesbury voted to comply with 
the order. 

A committee was chosen to view the burying place near 
David Ring's, and to see if it would be convenient to exchange 
a piece with Enoch Rogers and accept the burying place as 
now fenced in. This was the cemetery adjoining the late 
Mr. Lunt's on the plain. 

Capt. Robert Rogers and others petitioned the town to 
straighten the road from the Hibbert house to the foot of 
Straw hill. This was on Whitehall street, commencing near the 
Goodhue house, running south to the low ground. The old 
road wound around to the westward near Mr. Skinner's, and 
over the hill southerly to the low ground, a crooked and hilly 
route. It seems that the hill near Joseph Jewell's was form- 
erly called "Stevens' hill." The road was straightened as peti- 
tioned for. 



310 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The revised constitution of Massachusetts was submitted to 
the town May 6th and resulted in four votes in favor and for- 
ty-seven against. 

Jan. 28th. Rev. David Smith was this day ordained pastor 
of the Second church in Amesbury. Dr. Dana preached the 
sermon. 

There was a tornado in March which did considerable dam- 
age in various places and unroofed a part of the Sandy Hill 
meeting-house. We take the following from the East parish 
collector and treasurer's book : — 

"March 25 — 1795. paid to Joseph Bartlett $10 for finding 
material and mending the Meeting house when the wind did 
unroofe part of said house." Also, "paid Benjamin Swett j£d— 
0-0 hired of him to pay for land the meeting house stands 
on." Thirty-eight years ago the parish bought the land, but it 
was not paid for till this year. 

1796. 

May 2d. The town met for the purpose of adopting a 
memorial to Congress in regard to carrying out the treaty with 
Great Britian concerning the fisheries. The memorial was 
approved and signed by one hundred and thirty persons who 
were present. This is the largest number on record at a town 
meeting. There has always been a great deal of interest shown 
in the fishing business. It not only brought gain from the sale 
of the fish, but kept the carpenters busy in the ship-yards along 
the river. It was an important branch of business. 

At the May meeting a proposition was brought before the 
town to move the Mills bridge down about twenty feet, and it 
was approved by the meeting, provided Salisbury joined in the 
arrangement. Jonathan Osgood and David Osgood petitioned 
in 1753 for leave to move the bridge on their own cost, but 
the town would not consent. Their reason for the change was 
that it was "difficult to pass said bridge as it now stands with 
large teams." Forty-three years later the town virtually acknowl- 
edged that the Messrs. Osgood were right. 

The selectmen were ordered to apportion the school money 
in the districts according to the tax they pay after the new val- 
uation is taken, which was ordered at the annual meeting. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 311 

At the election for governor, Samuel Adams received fifty-two 
votes and state senators thirty-six votes each, except Christopher 
Sargent, who had but thirty. At the presidential election held 
November 7th, the whole number of votes cast was twenty- 
nine. 

David Tuxbury still lives and comes forward, to the great 
annoyance of the town, with his favorite idea of a Presbyterian 
society. He had forwarded to the General Court a petition for 
an act of incorporation, and an order of notice had been served 
on the town to show cause why the petition should not be 
granted. 

The town "Voted to choose a Committee to give their rea- 
sons why the prayer of David Tewksbury and others should not 
be granted." The idea of dividing the people into so many 
religious societies never met the approval of the early settlers. 
The town is now supporting thirteen persons at an expense 

of $358-84- 

The new valuation cost the town $54. 

The Ferry people were this year somewhat troubled about 
building a new school-house, being unable for some time to 
agree how or what should be done. The first meeting was 
called May 6th "to agree on some method to build a new 
school house," and resulted in an adjournment after choosing a 
moderator and clerk. Another meeting was warned on the 13th 
to be held on the 16th inst., at which time a committee was 
chosen, with Capt. William Lurvey as chairman, to advise on a 
plan. The committee was instructed "to inform themselves of 
the expense and best dimensions either for a brick or a wooden 
one and inform the proprietors at an adjournment of the meet- 
ing," and the meeting was adjourned to the 20th inst. 

At the adjourned meeting it was voted to build, and then 
immediately voted to do nothing. But, presto change. "Then 
again went on and signed for shares to build a new school 
house and ordered the committee to go on and purchase mate- 
rials and workmen to build s d house." "And the committee 
went on and built the house in part, according to the dimen- 
sions agreed on by the District." The house was nearly com- 



312 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

pleted by the last of December, and on the 26th David Lowell. 
Joseph Morse and Benjamin Swett were chosen to receive the 
key in the name of the district. The amount required was 
^200, and this was divided into shares of £2 each, making 
one hundred shares, which were taken up by subscription. A 
committee consisting of Nathan Long, William Bagley and 
James Bailey was chosen to receive the school money from the 
selectmen and to hire a master. At an adjourned meeting held 
January 2d, 1797, the committee reported that they had hired 
Master "Burrows" to keep school seven months. 

"Mr. Burrows began his School January 16th 1797 on Mon- 
day The First School that was Teached in this house." 

"Mr Burrows" received $18 per month for his services. 

1797. 

One thousand dollars were raised for town charges and five 
hundred for the repairing of highways. 

Thirty votes were cast at the election for governor. 

Aug. 4th. Hon. Bailey Bartlett received seven votes for rep- 
resentative to Congress, which included all that were cast. 

The town voted to revise the school districts, and the select- 
men with Capt. John Barnard and James Bayley were appointed 
to do it. 

The old habit of selling the poor was still practiced, and this 
year they were "put out to the best advantage," which means 
the cheapest, if not the best place. 

A brick school-house having been built on the town's land 
at the Ferry, the annual meeting granted a piece of land so 
long as the house remained thereon. 

David Tewksbury again comes to the front with his favor- 
ite society,' and the representative is instructed to oppose the 
incorporation of the new society. 

1798. 

The sum of $500 was voted for the repairing of highways, 
and the surveyors were to allow 4 s. per day for each man or 
yoke of oxen. 

"Voted To lay out a highway from the Indian Creek to the 
road by Mr James Bailey's farm." .This road started at the 



HISTORY OF AMESEURV. 313 

river road near the creek now owned by John Huntington, 
just west of his mill house ( then called, as from the first set- 
tlement of the town, Indian creek ) and northerly to the old 
Hunt road, near the house of the late Jonathan Morrill, Esq. It 
was never worked and remained unopened till 1828, when it 
was discontinued in consequence of some discussion about 
obliging the town to open it. 

April 2d. At the state election to-day seventy-five votes were 
cast for governor, viz. : Increase Sumner twenty-three and James 
Sullivan fifty-two. 

May 17th. A town meeting was held and $900 were raised 
to defray town charges. The poor were again to be put out 
by the selectmen. 

June nth. At the meeting this day it was "Voted That the 
Selectmen be a Committee to send an Address to the Presi- 
dent of the United States to let him know the towns approba- 
tion of the measures taken by our Executive." This vote, no 
doubt, has reference to the course taken by President Adams 
in regard to the trouble with France, which came near involv- 
ing the country in war. 

Nov. 5th. A meeting was held for the choice of representa- 
tive to Congress and Bailey Bartlett received eleven votes, 
Josiah Smith two, Joseph Wingate three and Christopher Sar- 
gent one. 

The winter of 1 797-1 798 was very severe, commencing early 
and holding till late in the spring. The river was frozen over 
November 28th and the ice continued above the Ferry till 
March 29th, 1798. 

All dogs in town were taxed one dollar each at this time. 

Joseph Harvey kept school at the Pond hills and River, Ben- 
jamin Guile at the River and Sarah Challis at the Pond. 

Abraham Morrison, mentioned in 1 790, was this year admitted 
into the Society of Friends. 

1799. 

Dec. 4th. Ex- President Washington died after a short illness, 
mourned by the whole country. 

40 



314 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Rev. Ebenezer Cleaveland's ministry terminated the latter 
part of last year or the early part of this. 

In July Rev. Elias Hull received $6 for preaching one day. 
Rev. Mr. Tappan, James Thurston of Exeter, N. H., Nathan 
Tilton and Stephen Hull preached during the season. Stephen 
Hull was settled in the course of the year. 

Oct. 29th. A parish meeting was held and it was decided 
to repair the East parish meeting-house. 

1800. 

At the beginning of the century it may be well to pause and 
briefly note the progress made during the last hundred years. 
One hundred and forty-six years have passed since the famous 
Agreement of 1654 was signed, and many and great have been 
the changes during that long period. Within the last century 
many of the dangers which surrounded our ancestors at its 
beginning have disappeared, and many difficulties, deprivations 
and hardships attendant on pioneer life have vanished and 
peace and plenty everywhere prevails. 

The revengeful red man has died out and the fear of the 
tomahawk and scalping knife no longer terrifies the peaceful 
inhabitants, nor are they compelled to flee to forts and garri- 
sons for safety and protection. Tradition perpetuates the mem- 
ory of their atrocious deeds and heartless cruelties. As 
mementos of that "reign of terror" we have numerous stone 
implements of their time and, also, the Indian ground at the 
river, where they loved to build their wigwams. We have the 
" Willows " near Tappan Emery's : their famous workshop, where 
their arrow heads were made and, perhaps, many of their tools. 
Their relics and traditions linger, but the race has gone to the 
"happy hunting ground" and no one mourns their departure. 

New branches of business are becoming prominent and will, 
eventually, rank as the leading industries of the town. The 
steady progress of the last century has accomplished much, 
physically and morally, but only the initiatory step has been 
taken, leaving much for the present century to complete. Edu- 
cation has been established upon a firm basis, being provided 
for among the annual appropriations of the town, as other indi- 
spensable items. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



315 



The wild, rough scenery of the first century has given place 
to cultivated fields and cheerful villages, well-graded highways 
have taken the place of " cart paths spotted through the 
woods," and modern machinery is beginning to supplant the 
slow hand work of the olden time. The sons may now reap 
the benefit of the institutions which their fathers founded, and 
feel thankful that they are surrounded with so many conven- 
iences and comforts. 

Last year the East parish decided to repair the meeting- 
house and a tax of $402.43 was now assessed for that purpose 
and committed to David Weed to collect. The three largest 
tax payers were Capt. Joseph Hoyt, $19.18; Nathan Long, Esq., 
$19.04; Capt. John Barnard, $6.58. Capt. Hoyt's tax was 
more than treble that of any other, excepting Long and Barn- 
ard. The repairs were not fully completed this year. 

May 2 2d. A council was called to consider the expediency 
of dismissing Rev. David Smith, pastor of the Second church, 
and he was dismissed. 

Capt. Eli Gale and William Goodrich received grants of land 
near the Ferry school-house. 

Dr. Elias Weld attended the town's poor in the West parish 
this year. 

Moses Sawyer, Richard K. Sawyer, Benjamin Guile and Enos 
George were appointed as teachers. The pay was small, Rich- 
ard K. Sawyer receiving but $28 for thirteen 'weeks and Moses 
Sawyer, an experienced teacher, but $4 per week. 

The town pound was re-built and Deacon Orlando Sargent 
received $50 for work and material. 

The town was very much alarmed at the appearance of the 
small-pox in the early part of the year, and the selectmen took 
John Welch's house for a pest-house, paying him $8 therefor. 

"An extensive iron factory was established at the Mills in 
1800, where one thousand tons of iron have been wrought in 
a year."* 

About this time the carriage business was started at West 
Amesbury by Michael Emery and William Little. From this 

* Gazetteer of Massachusetts, printed in 1828. 



3 16 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

small beginning the business has gradually increased till Ames- 
bury has become noted the world over for its carriages. From 
Amesbury and Merrimac carriages are shipped to California, 
South America, Australia and hundreds of other places. 

Mr. Emery was a wood-worker and Mr. Little a plater, the 
former living at South Amesbury and the latter at West Ames- 
bury. Mr. Stephen Bailey was the trimmer. The several parts 
were made in different shops and it was quite a task to get 
them together by way of exchange. In fact, it was a slow 
process to complete a carriage. It is believed that the first 
carriage was built at West Amesbury, although that point is not 
fully settled. The business was commenced at Newbury a few 
years earlier on a small scale. 

1801. 

There seems to have been two parties at this time, as on the 
election of representative we find Christopher Sargent receiving 
79 votes and John Merrill 64. At the Governor meeting Caleb 
Strong received 67 votes and Elbridge Gerry 56. There was 
evidently some excitement in politics. 

July 2d. The East parish held a meeting and voted to lay 
out #400 on the meeting-house in conjunction with the pew 
holders, and a committee was chosen to ascertain what repairs 
were needed. No doubt work had commenced, but there was 
a difference of opinion as to the extent of the repairs. This 
seemed to have caused most of the trouble. The meeting 
was adjourned to the 26th inst., when the committee were 
instructed to proceed with the repairs, and the Assessors 
instructed to pay over the tax to the committee. At a further 
adjournment it was decided to hire the money and the com- 
mittee " to go on and repair the meeting house as fast as in 
their judgment may be thought beneficial to the parish." 

Sept. 9th. A warrant was issued to notify the parish to meet 
on the 24th inst. " to see the minds of the parish concerning 
building a Cubaloe or spire to the meeting house." 

The people assembled agreeable to call and "voted that the 
parish approve of what the committee has done in building the 
steeple, and they proceed to build a spire as they shall think 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 317 

best, ever relying on the judgment of the committee, therefore 
we submit the whole affair to them wishing them to proceed 
and finish the meeting house as soon as it can conveniently be 
done." 

Eli Gale, Joseph Bartlett and Joseph Morse were the com- 
mittee, and they took the liberty to build a spire or " cubaloe" 
without special instructions on that point. The puritanical 
spirit of the times was opposed to all ornamental work, and 
hence the opposition in this matter. But the committee were 
fully sustained, and their work approved by the meeting, which 
having passed a vote of confidence, bade them go on as fast as 
possible. When built at the parsonage in 1 7 15 it was a plain 
building without porch or spire, the western porch being added 
when rebuilt in 1761. The repairs were not carried forward 
very rapidly and this year saw but a small part of the work 
done. 

At the Mills a district tax was assessed to raise $249.52 to 
pay for a school-house. The whole number of persons taxed 
was sixty-two and the heaviest tax payer was Capt. John Barn- 
ard. This was probably the old brick school-house on Friend 
street, which is still standing near its first location, and occupied 
as a dwelling house. 

Capt. John Sawyer of the West parish died July 7th. He 
was a prominent man, having served as selectman several years 
and in various other offices. 

The male teachers this year were Moses Atwood at the Ferry, 
Moses Sawyer at the River. Josiah Palmer at the Mills, and 
Benjamin Guile at Pleasant Vallev. 

1802. 

The selectmen were ordered to " inquire upon what condi- 
tion the highway by Davis' mill can be exchanged and make 
report next meeting." This mill, standing very near the site of 
the present hat factory, was, probably, in grinding order at this 
time. The writer can remember it standing in a shattered con- 
dition some fifty-five years ago. 

Feb. 2 2d. Snow and hail began to fall and lasted a week, 
making the crust so hard that teams could pass over the fences 
anywhere. This was one of the winters which old people fifty 



3i» 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



years ago were wont to tell of, when no roads were broken 
out and people went to mill with their hand-sleds across the 
fields, through the woods and over the fences, which were 
nowhere seen. 

Rev. Stephen Hull was ordained pastor of the First church in 
Amesbury. 

At the East parish meeting, Thomas Goodwin, Enoch Hoyt 
and William Currier were chosen "to take care of the boys on 
the Sabbath," and David Webster "to drive the boys into the 
meeting house on the Sabbath." * 

The repairs on the Sandy Hill meeting-house were not yet 
fully completed, although the appropriation was exhausted. 
More money being needed, a meeting was held and the sum 
of $400 raised to finish the work. Mr. Joseph Bartlett was the 
contractor for the work and was but poorly paid. The total 
sum raised was $800. The following cut, although not a per- 
fect picture of the venerable church, has a general resemblance 
of the house and adjacent grounds. 




SANDY HILL MEETING-HOUSE. 

Oct. 8th. Isaac Merrill, son of Jacob Merrill, who owned 
the farm where Lewis B. Davis lives, was instantly killed by 
lightning about nine o'clock, P. M. He was unloading his 
father's freight of salt hay, which occupied the day and even- 

* Parish records. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 319 

ing. It was one of those sultry days of autumn, which seem 
to linger after summer has gone. As night approached, the 
clouds hung thick and dark in the west, gradually advancing 
till overhead, when there seemed no cessation of the rattling 
thunder and forked lightning. He drove his team through the 
Ferry street, singing some familiar psalm tune, until coming 
near Sandy Hill meeting-house, when he was instantly killed 
by lightning and, also, his four cattle. The cattle were buried 
the next day on the sand lot now owned by R. W. Patten, 
Esq. 

Oct. 8th. Maj. William Lurvey died. He was a sea cap- 
tain, having followed the sea in his younger days. He held 
many offices in town and was elected representative in 1798. 
He was a son of Benjamin Lurvey, Esq., and lived at the 
Ferry in the house subsequently owned by Eliphalet Graves, 
Esq., and which has recently given place to Mr. Savage's new 
house. In 1794 he was elected the first captain of the Ames- 
bury and Salisbury artillery company and major of the reg- 
iment in 1800. 

A school district tax was assessed in district No. 2 in the 
West parish, amounting to $200.8 7, to pay for a new school- 
house. Of the forty-five persons taxed, fourteen were descend- 
ants of William Sargent and bore that name. 

Until within some twenty- five years a powder house was 
standing upon one of the Pond hills, commonly known as 
"Capt. Weed's hill." It was a small round building very much 
like the one on Brown's hill in Salisbury, which has recently 
been repaired. About a quarter of a century since, the "town 
stock" (as the amunition was called) was kept in Deacon 
Orlando Sargent's corn house, but, at this time, it was deemed 
prudent to place it at a distance from other buildings. William 
Currier and Ebenezer Weed supplied the bricks to build the 
new house, which were, probably, made near the brook just west 
of the house of Mr. Currier. This house, now demolished, was 
last occupied by the late David BlaisdelL The following order 
was found with the records of this year: "Oct. 12th Ordered 
to Wm Currier Eleven dollars & 2c in full it being for bricks 



320 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

he supply d to build the powder house 11.25." Ebenezer Weed 
recived a similar order and the total cost of the bricks was 
$22.50. Ephraim Weed received $10.40 for labor and hauling 
materials. William Sawyer received $12 for lime. Maj. Isaac 
Whittier received "$20 for labor and stuff," and this, probably, 
included the mason's work.* The total cost was $64.90. 

Moses Sawyer kept school thirteen weeks at the River and 
eleven weeks at the Highlands. Samuel Balch kept school 
eight weeks and Daniel C. Stevens six weeks at the Mills. 

Thorough repairs were made on Powow river bridge this year, 
and the bridge at Goodwin's creek was, also, repaired. 

1803. 

A committee was this year chosen to consider an exchange 
of the highway at Davis' mill and report at a future meeting. 
Mr. E. Pearsons, the noted "toll keeper" at Deer Island bridge, 
owned the land here, and the move was probably to straighten 
the road which run south of the present one, over the north 
cant of the bluff. This is the date of the present location. 

The following table will throw some light on the conditon of 
schools in town at this time : 

"The Ferry District pays $301 16 which gives 23 weeks o day. 
The Mills " " 198 53 " 

Pondhills " " 120 67 

Pond " " 54 44 

Pleasant Valley" " 85 53 

WEST END. 

River " " 174 49 " 

Esq. Sargent " " 181 17 " 

Burcha Medow " " 135 10 " 

Highland " " 92 55 " 

At this time the Ferry paid a larger tax and had more school- 
ing than the Mills or any other section of the town. 

Ship-building was the most important mechanical branch pur- 
sued and in connection with fishing was fast building up this 
section of the town. There was also some shipping owned here, 
and engaged in the West India trade which was then profitable. 
* Willis Patten, jr., made the hinges. 



*5 


' 1 ' 


9 


' 1 ' 


4 


' 1 ' 


6 


' 3 ' 


*3 


3 


M 


" 1 ' 


10 


" 3 ' 


7 


3 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 32 I 

There was some trouble this year about parish taxes. The 
Episcopalians wished to pay for the support of Mr. Bass, at 
Newburyport, and the Baptists protested against paying for the 
support of preaching which they did not believe in. The East 
parish voted a committee to inquire into the matter. The law 
requiring all to support the regular church was fast becoming 
unpopular and destined to fall before public opinion. 

April 3d. Orlando Sargent, Esq. died. He had taken a very 
prominent part in town affairs, especially during the critical 
times of the revolution. His first appearance as a town officer 
was in 1762, when he was chosen Warden, and from this date 
he was repeatedly chosen to fill various positions. He was one 
of the committee to build the pound in 1772, and held the 
office of selectman in 1773-4-83, and representative in 1781- 
3. He was repeatedly chosen moderator of meetings, and was 
on various committees. In 1777 he allowed the town to build 
a place in his corn house to keep the powder and other amu- 
nition, which was rather a dangerous experiment. He lived a 
few rods east of the new house built by his grandson, the late 
Orlando Sargent. He was the son of Moses Sargent, and of 
the fourth generation from William 1st. 

March 17th. Ichabod March died. He was a descendant 
of John March, one of the early settlers of Salisbury. In 1768 
he obtained leave and built a house on the corner opposite 
the residence of Geo. W. Bartlett, on the spot where the Sandy 
Hill meeting-house was built, and the hills where he planted 
his corn may yet be seen very distinctly. 

There was a school district tax assessed on the Ferry dis- 
trict this year, amounting to $681.89, and the largest tax payers 
were Capt. Joseph Hoyt, $67.15, Nathan Long, $47.36, Willi - 
bee Hoyt, $18.52, Joseph Morse, $18.17, Capt. William Bart- 
lett, $17.98, David Lowell, $17.79, Jacob B. Currier, $16.85, 
John Bartlett, $14.10, James Bailey, $13.88, Timothy Challis, 
$13.87, Jacob Merrill, $12.49, Benjamin Merrill, $11.45, Sam- 
uel Kendrick, $10.26. The school-house was built by subscrip- 
tion a few years since, and it is probable that the district now 
paid for it by this tax. The whole number of persons taxed 
was 124. 41 



322 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

"March 25, 1803. Ordered to Sargent Bagley four Dollers 
8 cents it being for Rum found the Surveyors on the Briges at 
Nichols creek." 

Moses Sawyer kept school in " Esq. Sargent's district," Thomas 
Archibald at the Lion's Mouth, Moses Merriman at Birchen 
Meadow, and Solomon Gage at the Highlands. 

In 1798 the Friends in town began to think about enlarging 
and repairing their meeting-house, and advice was asked of the 
Seabrook monthly meeting. A committee was appointed to con- 
sult with Friends here, and the advice given was " to build 
new." But the work seems not to have been commenced till 
this year. The Amesbury preparative meeting now appointed a 
committee to purchase a suitable lot, and the house formerly 
standing on the lot now occupied by the Free Baptist church 
was built the latter part of this year or the first of 1804. 

1804. 

The selectmen were this year ordered to take a new valua- 
tion and, also, " to put out the poor to the best advantage," 
which means the least expense. 

It was decided to fence the burying ground in the West par- 
ish, and a committee was chosen for that purpose. 

Nov. 5th. Presidential election occurred and nineteen elec- 
tors were to be voted for, to which Massachusetts and Maine 
were entitled. The Federal ticket received fifty-eight votes and 
the Republican forty-six. This was President Jefferson's second 
election, and the excitement which attended his first election 
had evidently died away, judging by the small vote cast. At 
this date the population was more than seventeen hundred, 
and there may have been three hundred and fifty voters in 
town. If so, less than one-third were at the meeting. 

The Second church having been without a settled minister 
since the dismissal of Mr. Smith in 1800, now extended a call to 
Rev. Samuel Mead, which was accepted, and he was installed the 
first Wednesday in June. Rev. Mr. Wadsworth preached the 
sermon. 

A school district tax was this year assessed at Pleasant 
Valley to pay for the school-house which had recently been 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 323 

built. The sum assessed was $307.23, of which amount Thomas 
Worthen paid $21.77, J°hn Huntington $18.69, Elijah Clough 
$18.29, John Clough $18.27, Amos Huntington $16.48, Ephraim 
Goodwin $21.28, Thomas Goodwin $13.41, Aquilla Martin $13.66, 
Isaac Martin $12.56, David Huntington $11.89, William Worthen 
$11.19, William Goodwin. $10.59, and Elijah Huntington $10.05. 
The Pond Hills district purchased the school-house built a 
few years ago on private ground, and a tax of $203.58 was 
assessed to pay for it. 

1805. 

Last year an effort was made to establish an academy at 
Bartlett's Corner for the benefit of Amesbury and Salisbury. It 
was proposed to raise $2000 by subscription, as the capital 
needed to carry out the design of the friends who were 
interested in the measure. This capital was divided into two 
hundred shares of $10 each, which were readily taken in the 
two towns. The company was organized September 10th, 1804, 
by the choice of Jonathan Ireland, clerk, Nathan Long, treas- 
urer and collector, John Barnard, Nathan Long, Joseph Hoyt, 
Samuel Nye, David Currier, Isaac Whittier, Christopher Sargent, 
Ebenezer Pearley and Ezekiel Evans, committee. The plan was 
to convert the Presbyterian meeting-house, which was built for 
Mr. Llibbert some years since, into a school-house for the use 
of the company. The premises were accordingly purchased of Dea- 
con David Tewksbury and others, and preparations made to fit 
the church for the use of the school. There was, however, some 
dissatisfaction in regard to the location, which was damp and 
thought to be unfit for school purposes. Capt. Joseph Hoyt 
and Nathan Long, Esq., asked and obtained leave of the com- 
pany to move the building across the road from its location, 
near the late Ezekiel Barnard's, to land which they had contracted 
for of William Barnard and William Bartlett, provided it should 
be done without expense to the company. An exchange of 
land was, also, allowed, and the beautiful location now known 
as the "Academy lot" thus secured. But to remove this large 
church up the hill on to the desired spot was found to be no 
very easy or desirable task, and the measure was abandoned. 



3 2 4 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



The company now authorized the committee to build a suit- 
able house, and measures were immediately taken to carry this 
determination into effect. In the mean time Messrs. Hoyt 
and Long had sold the church, and it was subsequently con- 
verted into Capt. Valentine Bagley's barn, a much more appro- 
priate use. Thus after various changes the right conclusion was 
reached, and a nice, tasty and commodious building secured 
which was a credit to the town and company. 

There is little doubt that Capt. Hoyt and Mr. Long were 
entitled to a large share of the credit of securing this fine loca- 
tion and building for the school. Although the organization 
was completed last year, the many changes had delayed the 
work till the spring of this year, and the building was not raised 
till June 1 8th. It was completed by October ist, when a pro- 
prietors' meeting was held in it and measures taken to secure 
the services of an efficient preceptor. Mr. Jabez P. Fisher was 
offered the position, but declined, and Mr. Abner Emerson was 
chosen, and accepted. 

Mr. Emerson was given full charge of both male and female 
departments, being authorized to employ a preceptress and 
receive the tuition of that portion of the school to compensate 
him. Thus after a little more than a year from the first meet- 
ing, the school was in operation under efficient instructors. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY 




[91 
pn§M§ p|H 

,ri« i i "i i 






ACADEMY. 



326 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

A fire was discovered at 4 a. m. on December 24th on the 
premises of the Nail factory, which burnt that building, a grist 
mill, two blacksmith shops and three hundred cords of wood. 
It was described as the greatest conflagration then known. The 
damage was estimated at $80,000, which in those times was a 
very large sum. 

Susanna Goodwin's house was sold by the town for $3.50 
and turned into a pig pen by the purchaser. She was a poor 
woman, helped by the town for many years, and lived on the 
bank of the river, near Thomas Page's. 

Dr. Samuel Ordway died July 6th and Dr. Aaron Sawyer on 
the 30th of August, the former living in the East parish and 
the latter in the West parish. They had both been prominent 
men for many years and popular physicians in town. Their 
descendants are not numerous, but mostly reside in town. 

1806. 

June 1 6th. A total eclipse of the sun occurred at noon, and 
the stars were visible in the heavens. It was a solemn scene. 

Oct. 6th. Enoch Colby and James Reas were drowned on 
their passage home from Labrador with Capt. William Colby. 

Widow Judith Colby died March 2d, aged 98 years, 5 months. 

Moses Bagley died May 6th, aged 90 years, 8 months. 

Capt. John Currier died Dec. 2 2d, aged 80 years, 1 month, 5 
days. Capt. Currier's first appearance as a soldier on duty was 
in 1756, when he received a lieutenant's commission from the 
royal governor to fight in defence of his king at Lake George. 
Here he was faithful to the cause he had undertaken to defend. 
Subsequently when matters between the mother country and col- 
onies grew serious he was one of the first to organize minute 
men for the preservation of their liberties. Immediately after 
the fight at Lexington he hastened with his company to the 
scene of action ready to defend the cause with his life, if need 
be. His company did good service at Bunker Hill, and he was 
honored and respected by Gen. Washington. Through the 
long struggle which followed, his labors and influence were given 
to the cause which was dear to his heart, and he was largely 
instrumental in obtaining men and money to meet the numer- 
ous calls which were made upon the town. He was chosen 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 327 

chairman of the board of selectmen in 1768, which was his 
first term of service, and was again chosen to the office in 1769 
-73-75-76-79. By occupation he was a farmer and shoe- 
maker, living on the homestead of his father at the Pond hills, 
where his grandson and namesake,, John Currier, now lives. 
He was of the fourth generation from Richard 1st, and married 
about 1 75 1, Mary Wells, granddaughter of Rev. Thomas Wells. 

1807. 

March 28th. Capt. Barnard Lowell died at sea on board the 
schooner Daniel, and three days afterward the vessel was cast 
away on Plum Island. Truly this was an unlucky voyage. 
Capt. Lowell lived at the Ferry, and like many others there, 
followed the sea for many years. He was born Jan. 21st, 1760, 
and was 47 years old. His father's name was William. 

May 24th. Six men were drowned in the Merrimac. They 
were going after a freight of hay with a gondola, and, having 
a fair wind and plenty of it, crowded on all sail, which caused 
the boat to run under and upset sufficiently to throw all hands 
into the river. This was Sunday afternoon and happened in 
the vicinity of Pleasant Valley. Joshua Weed and William Hoyt 
were among the number drowned. 

1808. 

On the 2d of July last year President Jefferson issued his 
proclamation interdicting all British vessels from the harbors and 
waters of the United States.* This embargo bore heavily upon 
the shipping interest of the country, and was felt to some 
extent in Amesbury, and to give expression to public feeling a 
meeting was held August 24th, and the following vote was 
passed : " Voted to petition the President of the United States 
praying him to suspend the operation of the law laying an 
embargo on vessels of the United States." " Voted to accept 
the petition that was then read in the meeting, and that the 
Selectmen forward the same to the President." The embargo 
was anything but popular in Amesbury as it stopped ship-build- 
ing, and the ship-yards were idle and the many carpenters out 
of employ. 

* Congress at the Extra Session 1807 passed a law called the " Embargo 
Act." 



328 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

June 27th. A tempest of wind and rain did much damage 
to buildings in town, and blew down two-thirds of the pines at 
the laurel ground across the river. 

Capt. Robert Sargent died January 28th in the 9 2d year of 
his age. He was born in -the West parish in 1716, and served 
the town in various offices, being selectman in 1758 and 1769. 
He was a man of some note, having held commission in the 
militia for some years. 

Col. Isaac Whittier died February 10th, at the West parish, 
aged 53, having served as selectman in 1791 and ten subse- 
quent years. He was chosen chairman of the board at his first 
term, and served as such six years. He was also quite a mili- 
tary man, rising to the rank of colonel, which was a great 
mark of distinction at that time. He lived at the River. 

Sept. 20th. Levi Blaisdell was drowned in the river near 
Pressy's creek. 

1809. 

March 12th. Widow Lurvey died, aged ninety-four years. 

Sept. 14th. Moses Goodwin died, aged ninety-one years, five 
months. 

April 27th. Capt. Isaac Randall died, aged eighty-two years. 
He was an innholder for many years on Water street at the 
Ferry, and his tavern house is now owned and occupied by Mr. 
Jonathan Morrill. He served on the board of selectmen in 1770, 
1772 and 1773, and was chosen moderator at one or more meet- 
ings. Where he was born we have no means of knowing, the only 
mention of the name on the early records being the marriage 
of " John Randall & Lydia Muzzy of Cape Porpos, July 23, 
1689." The name does not appear again till 1 75 1, when a 
daughter was born to Capt. Isaac Randall. 

April 23d. Dr. Nathan Huse died, aged ninety- two years. 
Dr. Huse came from West Newbury about the year 1739, when 
he was about twenty-two years old, and settled at the High- 
lands on the old road south of Isaac W. Hoyt's, where he 
bousrht a place and established his home. Towards the middle 
or latter part of his life he built a large house on the hill not 
far from his old one, which gave a fine view of the country 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 329 

round about. His practice lay in all directions, scattered among 
the sparse inhabitants. For about seventy years Dr. Huse was 
in practice more or less, respected by all, and dying at a good 
old age, which few attain. After his death, the house was sold 
and removed to Newton, N. H., leaving the cellar to mark the 
old spot. The Doctor was the father of eleven or twelve child- 
ren, and one of his grandchildren, Stephen Huse, is now living 
in Merrimac. 

1810. 

Appropriations : Repairing of highways, $1200. ; town charges, 
$1600. 

No appropriation for schools is found on the record. 

The town "Voted that no highway tax be laid out in liq- 
uor," and, of course, each man must find his own "grog." 

Ship-building had again revived and the carpenters were busy 
in all the yards. There were built on the river this year twenty- 
one ships, thirteen brigs, one schooner and seven other vessels of 
various dimensions, making forty-two in all. This business was 
building up the Ferry faster than any other section of the town. 
Ship-yards were dotted along the river, several at the Ferry, one 
at Thomas Goodwin's — now William E. Worthen's — one at Isaac 
Martin's, near John Brown's, one near David Huntington's — 
now John Huntington's — and one in front of Moses Hunting- 
ton's. Farther up the river were several yards, where occasion- 
ally vessels were built and floated down to Newburyport for sale. 

On the morning of August 26th, about four o'clock, Nathan 
Long's bakery at the Ferry was burnt, probably by accident. 

July 27th. Anna Cottle died in the eighty-eighth year of her 
age. 

In 1723 the inhabitants of Jamaco were terribly frightened 
by the report, which had been suddenly spread, that the Indi- 
ans were coming down on the settlement. All fled to the fort 
for their lives, expecting to be butchered before they got there. 
Among the number was Anna Cottle's mother, and while there 
this puny child was ushered into the world, where she was des- 
tined to remain nearly a century. Who, at that time, could have 
imagined the scenes through which she lived to pass? 

42 



$$0 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The population of the town, as given by the census, was 
one thousand, eight hundred and ninety. 

Deacon David Tuxbury, one of the principal men who, 
some years since built Mr. Hibbert a Presbyterian church, 
this year sold half an acre of land at the Pond's Mouth, 
embracing the outlet, to the Nail Factory company, of which 
Ebenezer Felton was agent. From this time forth, the flowage 
of the pond has been controlled by the companies owning the 
water power at the Mills. Mr. Tuxbury lived where Mr. Nathan. 
Wells now lives, and was a very extensive land-holder. 

1811. 

Robert Quinby and others were this year set off from the 
Mills district and annexed to the Pond Highway district. 

May 31st. One of the most extensive conflagrations known 
occurred at Newburyport. Hundreds of people were left home- 
less and destitute. Amesbury people were there, rendering all 
the assistance possible ; but, with the means of those days, lit- 
tle effective service could be done. The business portion of the 
town was nearly destroyed by this " great fire." 

Amesbury, ready to assist the sufferers, called a town meet- 
ing to consider what should be done, and "Voted that the 
Selectmen furnish the School Committee of Each district with 
a subscription paper and that the Committee Man of each dis- 
trict is requested to go around to the people of his own dis- 
trict and see what they will give towards the relief of the suf- 
ferers of Newburyport by the late fire." 

1812. 

Jan. 19th. Isaac Huntington died. He lived south of 
Clough's hill, back of Pleasant Valley, — a beautiful place, com- 
manding a splendid view of the river and surrounding country. 
The house was torn down nearly fifty years ago. 

March 31st. The East parish held a meeting to consider the 
request of Rev. Stephen Hull for dismission. His reasons 
assigned were : " 1st Because of the difficulties and objections 
which have and do still attend his support in this place by 
which his feelings have been greatly hurt. 2 d That in conse- 
quence of these things he thinks he has great reason to appre- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 33] 

hend that his usefulness has been obstructed and will continue 
to be impeded in this place. Therefore for these reasons & 
others which he will assign at the meeting of the parish he 
requests a dismission." He requested the use of the parsonage 
a year, and six month's salary in case of dismission. His 
request was finally granted, with the exception of the six 
month's salary. His dismission by council was ordered at the 
expense of the parish. Mr. Hull found strong opposition in 
the parish for two or three years past, and sometimes his oppo- 
nents had control of the meetings. At the annual meeting 
April 10th, 1 8 10, it was voted to raise $400, which was his 
original salary, and hardly enough to live on at the unusually 
high prices which prevailed, and " not to give Mr Hull one 
cent." But the meanest vote which his enemies could pass 
was "not to pay Mr Hull for building a necessary house." 
The majority of the parish were, however, fully aware of the 
need of raising his salary, and called a meeting July 23d and 
voted him a salary of $500 during his ministry. 

At the May meeting, the town ordered the selectmen to pro- 
vide a dinner for the soldiers on general muster day. Train- 
ings were popular at this time and afforded a good time for 
the young and even the aged. May drill, when the company 
turned out for inspection, was to the boys a great day ; but 
the regimental drill on "Ben Merrill's plain," or near the Mid- 
dle cemetery on that large plain, was looked forward to with 
the greatest impatience. 

The first engine men found on the records are Theophilus 
Gould, Ebenezer Rand, Nathan Nutter, William Trussell, James 
Morse, Aquilla Martin, jr., William Swett, Enoch Wells, Nathan 
Kimball, Philip Currier, Thomas Currier, Nathan Wells, Charles 
Boyles, Orlando S. Bayley, Joseph Davis and Ephraim Blasdell, 
jr. These were appointed by the selectmen. 

June 1 8th. War was declared against Great Britain. After 
the declaration of war, the militia was drilled and put in order 
for any call which might be made. The Ferry company was 
drilled twice each week on the "wolf peet" hill near Goodwin's 
creek, and the company in the West parish was drilled on 
their parade ground near the meeting-house. 



332 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

There was strong opposition to the war from the Federal 
party in town, and the writer has more than once heard the 
remark that nothing was gained by it. It was, however, excit- 
ing times even here, as preparations went on for active service. 
But very few records are found relating to this war, and we are 
unable to give a full account or complete list of the soldiers 
in the service at this time. 

July 1 8th. The East parish "voted to hire Nathaniel Ken- 
nedy to preach with them three months on probation," and 
raised $100 to pay him. This was a singular move, as Mr. 
Hull was not yet formally dismissed by the council, which was 
not held till early in 1813. 

A new branch of business was this year introduced at the 
Mills, which has since become the principal business of the vil- 
lage. A company was organized for the manufacture of satinet, 
and a brick mill built on Mill street. The company consisted 
in ' part of the following persons : Ezra Worthen, Paul Moody, 
Thomas Boardman, Jacob Kent, Mr. Rundlett and Mr. Wiggles- 
worth. Ezra Worthen was the agent. The mill was two stories 
high at first, but raised to three and afterwards greatly enlarged. 
During war times a good business was done here, and it was 
a valuable acquisition to the place. It is now known as No. 6. 
According to tradition, when the bricks were being made, a 
young lady and her beau had the curiosity to visit the yard. 
and the former taking a little stick wrote her name and the 
year on several bricks, which were spread out to dry. The 
bricks were laid in the wall of this mill and the date may yet 
be seen there. 

1813. 

Widow Judith Bagley died at the Pond Hills August 1st, aged 
ninety-seven years,. four months, and four days. She was the great- 
granddaughter of William Sargent, 1st and daughter of Joseph 
and Judith Sargent, who lived at Bear Hill on land now owned 
by Mr. Cyrus Sargent. Her birth occurred October 1st, 1716, 
and her marriage with Capt. John Bagley took place in 1734, 
when she was sixteen years old, and she became the mother of 
thirteen children. Joseph, her second son, died at Lake George 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 333 

in 1760 while in the service of the king, and Philip, her young- 
est son, is said to have been in the battle of Bunker Hill. He 
was afterwards sheriff and jail keeper at Newburyport for about 
forty years, dying at the great age of ninety-five years. During 
the last years of her life she was blind, but retained her mem- 
ory and hearing. She recollected the time when the road over 
the Pond Hills was nothing but a cart path spotted through the 
woods. 

The continuance of the war with England prevented the 
importation of foreign cloths, which created a demand for home 
manufactures to clothe the people and army. This demand 
encouraged the erection of a second mill by Jonathan Morrill, 
Esq., of Salisbury, (commonly known as Ensign Morrill.) The 
mill was located on Mill street, a few rods south of the one 
built last year, and was a two-story brick building. It was sub- 
sequently raised to three stories and greatly enlarged, and is now 
known as No. 5. Large quantities of cloth were made in this 
mill, more especially designed to clothe the soldiers, but suitable 
for all. Mr. Morrill sold out after a few years and the mill 
became the property of the Amesbury company. 

Capt. Matthias Hoyt died the latter part of October or the 
first of November at West Amesbury. He was a descendant 
of John Hoyt, 1st, and was of the fifth generation. He was 
prominent in town affairs for many years about the revolution- 
ary period, holding various offices of trust. He was somewhat 
of a soldier, served as- collector for the West parish in 1775. 
and was on the committee of correspondence and safety in 
1777. In 1782, 1783 and 1784 he was on the board of select- 
men and was chairman in 1783. At one period he kept tav- 
ern where the late Capt. J. W. Sargent lived, but finally 
removed to the Highlands, where he resided till his death. 

A council was convened in the early part of the year to 
consider the propriety of dismissing Rev. Stephen Hull, pastor 
of the First church. After due deliberation his request was 
granted and the parish paid the expense of the council. Sev- 
eral ministers were employed during the remainder of the year, 
but no one settled permanently. 



334 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The town gave the soldiers twenty cents on muster day 
instead of the usual dinner. 

1814. 

" Voted that each soldier be allowed by the town twenty-five 
cents on General Muster day." 

The idea of building a poorhouse with Salisbury was dis- 
cussed at the annual meeting and a committee chosen to meet 
a committee from that town, but nothing came of the attempt. 

A fearful epidemic fever made its appearance in town this 
spring. At Pleasant Valley there were eighteen deaths in six 
weeks. On the West parish records are found fifteen deaths 
marked "fever," and it was generally believed to be "spotted 
fever." 

"This year many died with spotted fever."* 

Feb. 7th. There were five deaths in town this day. 

March 2d. Capt. Richard Hoyt died at the West Indies. 

March 10th. Widow Sarah Sargent died, aged eighty-four 
years. 

Dec. 29th. Deacon Obadiah Colby died at the Ferry. 

The committee chosen by the East parish to supply the pul- 
pit, reported to the adjourned meeting that they. had agreed 
with Rev. Benjamin Sawyer, of Cape Elizabeth, for the year. 

The record of soldiers who served in the war of 181 2 is very 
scant and but few names have been found. The following 
received pay from the town for services performed mostly at 
Fort Phillips, Plum island, viz. : Stephen Gorden, ( musician ) 
Joseph Chandler, Richard Merrill, William Vickery, Charles Bur- 
roughs, Enoch Flanders, John Pressey 3d, James Nichols, son 
of Jacob Hoyt, William Colby, Daniel Gale, William Saunders, 
Samuel Ordway, Timothy Currier, Thomas Colby 3d, James 
Foot, Thomas Huntington and Thomas Goodwin. No doubt 
there were more in the service, although volunteers were not 
numerous in this section, the war being unpopular, more espec- 
ially with the Federal party. 

1815. 

Sept. 23d. An easterly gale, commonly known as the "Sep- 
tember Gale," did great damage, blowing down houses, barns, 

* West Parish Records. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 335 

fences and acres of pine woods in many places. It was a ter- 
riffic gale and long remembered by the people who experienced it. 

Soldiers were allowed twenty-five cents on general muster 
day. 

On the 1 8th of May, the selectmen ordered "To Hezekiah 
Colby seventy five cents it being for two quarts of gin for the 
funeral of Sukey Lane." 

Times change with the years, and habits deemed right at one 
period would be a disgrace at another. To-day the selectmen 
who should furnish seventy-five cents worth of gin for a funeral 
would be politically dead. Two of this board which supplied 
gin at the funeral were re-elected several times and, also, served 
as representatives to the General Court afterwards, and one as 
county commissioner. 

Capt. Abner Lowell died April 4th. 

1816. 

July 2d. A town meeting was held to take some action in 
regard to a separation from Massachusetts, and, with other 
towns north of the river, to join New Hampshire. Willoughbee 
Hoyt, Lowell Bagley and John Morse, jr., were chosen as a 
committee to consider the matter and consult with other towns 
"that request a separation to see what method is most proper 
to be taken for that purpose." This was no fanciful movement, 
but there was a strong feeling that the river should be the 
boundary between the states. It was occasioned in part by the 
fact that taxes were then lighter in New Hampshire and, in all 
probability, would continue to be so. The measure, however, 
was not successful. 

April 1 st. The Belleville church was struck by lightning. 

June 19th. Rev. Benjamin Sawyer was installed pastor of 
the East parish society, with a salary of $400 and the parson- 
age. He was born in Boothbay, Me., in 1782 and graduated 
at Dartmouth college in 180S. 

March 30th. The widow of Capt. Isaac Randall died. 

Sept. 12th. Deacon Willis Patten died at the River. 

Peter, a man of color, died this year in the West parish. 

The season was extremely cold and attended by frost every 



336 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

month in the year. Very little ripe corn was found in the fall. 
Mr. James Chase commenced the manufacture of earthen 
ware at the River this year, which business he continued for 
about forty years at the same location on the river's bank. At 
his death in 1858, his son Phineas continued the business at 
his pottery on the new highway. 

1817. 

The northern tour of President Monroe was the most noted 
event of the year. He passed through the Ferry at 3 o'clock, 
p. m., stopping at the Mills long enough to visit the two fac- 
tories and inspect the goods being manufactured. Southern 
presidents were very much interested in ship-building and man- 
ufactures. In 1789 Washington visited the Ferry while on 
his way to Portsmouth, N. H. There was no special provision 
made for display on this occasion, although the President was 
treated with due respect and all flocked to see him. 

The brigade muster was held at Rowley on the 9th of Octo- 
ber and the soldiers were allowed one dollar each towards their 
expenses. 

Widow Hannah Hunt, formerly of this town, died at New- 
buryport April 27th, aged eighty-seven years. 

1818. 

" Voted That a committee be chosen for the purpose of 
informing themselves relative to the Iron & Nail Factory tax or 
the personal property thereof for the years 1816 & 181 7." 

It was thought by the meeting that the personal property of 
the Iron and Nail company was not fully taxed, and in order 
to ascertain the facts in the case, the above committee was 
chosen. After due investigation the committee reported that the 
property was all taxed and nothing more was done. 

At the governor's meeting, held April 6th. it was voted by a 
poll of seventy-five votes in favor to fifty against, to hold future 
town meetings two years at the East parish to one year at the 
West parish. This arrangement occasioned great dissatisfaction 
at the west end and, at the representative meeting in May, the 
vote was reconsidered and the old alternate system continued. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 337 

Hezekiah Nichols, collector of the town, being sick and infirm, 
Maj. Daniel Weed was appointed to complete the collection. 

March 4th. There was a great freshet in the Merrimac, 
which carried away the Rocks bridge and did a great deal of 
damage along the river. 

Benjamin Lurvey, Esq., died January 24th, aged eighty-three 
years. He lived at the Ferry, his house standing just north of 
the old school-house. There was hardly an office in town with 
which he had not been honored. He had been representative 
five years, selectman twelve years, was a candidate for senator 
in 1798, was frequently chosen moderator, and in short, had 
served the town and parish in nearly every capacity. His prin- 
cipal business seems to have been writing deeds and wills and set- 
tling estates. He was, also, a teacher of navigation to private 
pupils. The diary which he kept for many years up to the 
time of his death, contains much valuable information. 

1819. 

The policy of allowing a discount for the prompt payment of 
taxes was inaugurated this year by the allowance of six per cent, 
for thirty days, four per cent, for sixty days and three per cent, 
for ninety days. 

The first instance of setting the collectorship up at auction is 
also found on the record this year. 

A new school district was ordered, as follows: "Voted to 
set off from the Pond School district, the Pond highway dis- 
trict as a separate school district." 

Rev. Moses Welch was ordained pastor of the Second church 
in June. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. 
Tompkins, and Rev. Benjamin Sawyer, of the First church, made 
the concluding prayer. 

Marchant Cleaves died April 27th. He was by trade a tailor 
and lived at the Mills, his house and little red shop standing 
near the Dr. Sparhawk place. In 1767 he petitioned the town 
for a piece of land at the Ferry to put a tailor shop on, that 
section then being the most populous part of the town. In 
1787, 1888 and 1/90 he served as selectman and seems to 
have been prominent in parish affairs. During the latter part 

43 



338 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

of his life he appears to have been engaged in the grocery 
business at the Mills. 

1820. 

Appropriations: Schools, $800; town charges, $1400 ; repair- 
ing of highways, $900. 

Nov. 6th. Presidential election occurred without much inter- 
est, only sixteen votes being cast. 

The population of the town has increased from one thousand 
eight hundred and ninety in the year 18 10 to one thousand 
nine hundred and fifty-six the present year. 

.The mill known as No. 3, at the Mills, standing on the Salis- 
bury side of the Powow river at the bridge, was built this year. 

A post-office was this year established at the Mills and Capt. 
Jonathan Morrill appointed postmaster. 

1821. 

Thomas Huntington, son of the pensioner William Hunting- 
ton, disappeared on the night of November 2 2d and no trace 
of him could be found. It was thought that he had been mur- 
dered and some arrests were made, but no proof was found of 
foul play. 

1822. 

March 2d. The body of Thomas Huntington, who mysteri- 
ously disappeared last November, was found in the Powow 
river, and it was thought probable that he accidently fell in 
while crossing a plank connected with a foot path over some 
part of it. 

Warren Lodge of Accepted Masons was chartered this year 
and the following are the names of the charter members : 
Benjamin Sawyer, Edward Dorr, Lowell Bagley, John Colby, 
Nathaniel Fifield, William O. Mills, Valentine Bagley, George 
W. Bagley, Daniel Long, James Horton, David Nayson, Ben- 
jamin R. Downes, William H. Bagley and Samuel Walton. 

Oct. 28th. Valentine Colby (father of the late Deacon Peter 
Colby) sold the right to flow his land around the pond to the 
" Amesbury Nail Company, Amesbury Woolen and Cotton Man- 
ufacturing Company, Amesbury flannel Manufacturing Company, 
Salisbury woolen Manufacturing Company — David Nayson, Bar- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 339 

zilla Lombard and David Currier" limited to the height of the 
dam at the Pond's mouth.* Manufacturing had already become 
an important branch of business at the Mills, and the above 
shows the number of companies in the village. 

The "Amesbury flannel Manufacturing Company" was incor- 
porated this year with a capital of $200,000, and annually made 
fifteen hundred pieces of flannel, containing forty-six yards each, 
five thousand pieces of satinet, containing twenty-five yards each, 
and employed one hundred and sixty operatives. Joshua Aubin, 
Esq., was the agent. 

1823. 

This year the hotel at the Mills, now known as the American 
house, was built by Mr. John Oilman. The old wooden build- 
ing, which had been occupied by Mr. Daniel Long as a tavern, 
was removed to make room for the new brick building that was 
needed for the accommodation of the village. 

The general muster was this year held at Rowley and embraced 
a full brigade, as in 181 7. The regimental muster, which was 
formerly held on Benjamin Merrill's plain, Brown's hill, Salis- 
bury, the plain at the middle cemetery, West Amesbury, or at 
the plain below the chain bridge in Newbury, was superceded 
by the one muster of the entire brigade. This year the town 
gave the soldiers fifty cents each towards their expenses. 

April 7th. John Blaisdell was drowned in the Merrimac river 
by the upsetting of his boat. 

Feb. 28th. Pegg, a black woman, died at the Pond Hills. 

1824 

The common land near the house of Joseph Merrill, where 
the meeting-house stood, and subsequently the house of Col. 
March, was this year sold to David Currier. 

A portion of the landing at the Mills was, also, sold to the 
Amesbury Flannel company, of which Joshua Aubin was agent. 

The necessity of a bridge across the river at the Ferry was 
pretty freely discussed, and Robert Patten, Esq., and others, by the 
approval of the town, petitioned the General Court for a char- 
ter. 

* Colby papers. 



34-0 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Nov. i st. Presidential election was held and the small vote 
of fifty-seven and twenty-nine showed the interest taken in the 
contest. 

The noted event of the year was the arrival of General 
La Fayette in this country. No little enthusiasm was awakened 
by the reception of this friend, who had rendered such valu- 
able services nearly half a century since, in the cause of free- 
dom. He arrived at Newburyport August 13th and spent the 
night there. He was welcomed with every sign of joy. Trium- 
phant arches lined his way and thousands flocked to see him. 
Amesbury people were there in large numbers to catch a glimpse 
of this French general and patriot, who had so nobly assisted 
their fathers. 

April 1 7th. Dr. Jonathan French died. His practice in town 
was very successful. He lived in the house now owned by 
James Follansbee previous to his temporary absence at New 
York. 

A post-office was this year established at West Amesbury and 
Col. Edmund Sargent appointed postmaster. 

1825. 

One dollar was voted to each officer and soldier doing duty 
at the brigade muster at Rowley. 

The selectmen were chosen a committee to widen and 
straighten the road from Charles Ramsey's to the Haverhill line. 

The town having become satisfied that putting out the poor 
was not the best way to support them, instructed the selectmen 
to buy or hire a suitable farm for the purpose. The farm form- 
erly owned by Matthias Merrill, near Saunders' hill, was accord- 
ingly purchased and fitted to accommodate the poor. 

Dr. Philip Towle commenced the practice of medicine at the 
Ferry, taking the place of Dr. Rufus Hill, who removed to the 
West. He was somewhat noted as a violin player of sacred 
music, and for many years assisted the choir at the Sandy Hill 
church, as many elderly persons well remember. He was highly 
esteemed as a physician. 

Maj. Thomas Hoyt died January 14th. He was a son of Capt. 
Matthias Hoyt, who lived at the Highlands, and was a prom- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 34 1 

inent man in the West parish. He served as selectman seven 
years, representative three years and belonged to the sixth gen- 
eration from John Hoyt, ist. 

The erection by the Salisbury company of the large mill on 
High street, Salisbury, now known as No. 2, gave additional 
impetus to business at the Mills. Its foundation was laid upon 
the ledge which underlies the surface in this vicinity, and a 
great deal of blasting had to be done in preparing the race 
course. One person was killed and several houses were damaged 
by the falling stones, which perforated the roofs and sunk to 
the ground floor, greatly frightening the occupants. 

The old Nail factory was sold to the Salisbury Manufacturing 
company about this time and converted into a weaving room. 

1826. 

A proposition was submitted to the annual meeting for the 
formation of a new county, but the town disapproved of the 
measure by a vote of one hundred and twelve nays to five 
yeas. 

Alice Colby lived for many years in a small house stand- 
ing beside the burying ground at Bartlett's Corner, and was 
helped by the town. She was now dead and the town sold 
her house at auction. 

The town this year ordered the bridge at Pressey's creek 
to be re-built with stone, but the order was not carried into 
effect. 

At the annual meeting it was "voted to raise fifty dollars 
in addition to the sum already raised to support the poor 
and be applied towards the support of the Bagley Boys." 
There were three brothers and a nephew non compos, viz. : 
William, Enoch and John Bagley and Thomas Lane. These 
were for many years maintained by Susan and Polly Bagley, 
sisters of the Bagley boys and aunts of Thomas Lane, and 
living on Ferry street in the house across the lane from J. 
E. Cowden, Esq. Many will remember these simple old men 
(although always called "Boys") who were always together 
and always lived in peace. They were constant attendants 
at church, occupying the long front seat in the west gallery 



342 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

of the Sandy Hill meeting-house. Their oddities were some- 
times very amusing, but people were very kind to them. 
During the latter part of their lives the town partly supported 
them. 

The Second church extended an invitation to Rev. Peter 
S. Eaton to become their pastor, which was accepted, and 
he was ordained September 20th. 

John Huntington died at Pleasant Valley March 2d, in the 
eighty-ninth year of his age. He lived on the homestead of 
his ancestors, and some claim in the house built by William, 1st. 
The farm is now owned by Mr. Joel H. Davis. 

1827. 

The town held a meeting January 29th to remonstrate against 
the petition of the Newburyport Bridge company to lower the 
bridge below the height specified in the charter. A strong res- 
olution was passed condemning the bridge as an infringement 
upon the rights of the public generally, and a committee was 
chosen to remonstrate against the petition. 

The chain bridge at Deer island, which had stood for nearly 
forty years, broke down February 6th, while being crossed by a 
team loaded with timber, and precipitated David Jackman and 
Frederick Carleton with their load and two yoke of oxen into 
the swift current below. The men were rescued, but the oxen 
were drowned. 

The ferry at Patten's creek was rented to Col. Stephen Bai- 
ley for five years at one dollar per year. It was never rented 
again and has now become entirely worthless. 

The road from Charles Ramsay's at the Duck Hole was wid- 
ened and straightened to the Haverhill line. 

St. James Episcopal church at the Mills was organized this 
year. 

1828. 

The Congregational society at the Mills was incorporated this 
year, being the third of that denomination in town. 

Rev. David Damon was installed pastor of the Unitarian 
society at the Mills June 25 th. 

At the presidential election, November 1st, the vote stood: 
Whig, one hundred and twenty ; Democrat, seventy-eight. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 343 

In 1798 a road was laid out from Indian creek, near John 
Huntington's, to the Bailey farm on the old Hunt road, run- 
ning nearly parallel with the Buttonwood road ; but it was never 
opened for public use and was this year discontinued. 

The Provident Institution for savings in Salisbury and Ames- 
bury was incorporated this year. Jacob Brown, Esq., was 
chosen president and Robert Patten, Esq., treasurer. The office 
was at the counting room of the factory. 

1829. 

At the annual meeting the selectmen were ordered to divide 
the River highway district. Their doings in widening " Daniel 
Weeds lane'' were laid before the town and accepted. 

The famous breakwater across Joppa flats was commenced 
this year and thousands of tons of stone were boated down the 
river from Pleasant Valley by Mr. John Huntington and Mr. 
David Goodwin to fill in between the timbers. Mr. Hunting- 
ton lived to see it all disappear. 

The first steamer on the Merrimac river made her trial trip 
this year. She was named Merrimac and was of about seventy 
tons burthen. 

1830. 

Appropriations: Schools, $1000 ; town charges, $2000; high- 
ways, $900. 

A committee was chosen at the annual meeting to ascertain 
whether or not the burying ground in the East parish belonged 
to the town, and report. The committee reported in the affirm- 
ative. The one acre bought of Edmund Elliott in 1663 had 
been enlarged from time to time by the town and there could 
be no doubt about the ownership. It needed fencing and the 
town decided to build the fence. 

A meeting was held x\pril 5 th to take measures to make a 
survey of the town, agreeable to an act of the legislature. The 
selectmen were intrusted to manage the matter. 

May 12th. A meeting was called to divide school district 
No. 9, and the following vote was passed : "Voted to sett off 
that part of No 9 school district which lies to the west of the 



344 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

dwelling house of Mr Joseph Hoyt including said Hoyt as a 
separate district." 

At the November election, the famous contest between Caleb 
Cushing and Gayton P. Osgood began. Each was willing to 
represent this Congressional district in Congress. The vote 
stood : Cushing one hundred and thirty-nine, Osgood one 
hundred and thirty-six, and fifty- eight scattering. Some twelve 
or fifteen meetings were held to determine the matter. 

The population of the town, according to the fifth census 
taken this year, was two thousand, four hundred and forty-five. 

Christopher Sargent, Esq., died November ioth, being more 
than ninety years of age. He was the son of Moses and Sarah 
Sargent and was born May 18th, 1740. William, 1st, was his 
greatgrandfather. For nearly half a century he was a very 
prominent man, holding all the offices in the gift of the people. 
He was first chosen selectman in 1771, and subsquently served 
the town in that capacity for thirteen years, his last term being 
in 1 8 1 3. He was representative for fourteen years and town 
clerk for nine years. During the revolutionary struggle he was 
one of the few who directed affairs, and gave his whole influ- 
ence to the cause of freedom. His home was the residence 
now owned and occupied by his grandson, Moses Sargent, near 
Bear hill. He not only managed his large farm, but, as a jus- 
tice of the peace, wrote deeds and wills, settled estates and 
performed many other duties which were connected with the 
office in those days. He was the owner of the famous negro 
"Forte," whom he bought at West Newbury for ^30. Forte 
was a jolly fellow, a good fiddler and popular with the young- 
folks, who generally consulted him in regard to the manage- 
ment of their frolics, as without him and his fiddle but lit- 
tle could be done in that line. But his promotion in this 
direction rather unfitted him for waiting upon the esquire, 
and, in fact, he finally became more independent than his 
master. His fiddle brought him into such general notice that 
he found it necessary to buy a horse, which he kept at the 
esquire's, and, like the old-fashioned aristocracy, generally gave 
some boy a four-pence half penny to saddle and bring him 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



345 



to the door. What became of him is not known, as he 
spent the last part of his life at the eastward. 

1831. 

The town concluded to fix the compensation of the school 
committee as follows : "Voted that the School Committee 
who shall serve in future shall each be allowed six dollars 
a year as a compensation for his services." 

William Nichols, Esq., of West Amesbury, was this year 
chosen state senator. 

Oct. ioth. A town meeting was held to consider the peti- 
tion before the county commissioners for a new road from 
Moses Sawyer's, at the River, to Joseph Merrill's. The meet- 
ing took strong ground against this new road, offering all the 
opposition possible, but without effect, as it was laid out by the 
commissioners and ordered to be built. 

Jacob Bagley Currier, a soldier of the Revolution, died August 
3d, at the age of eighty years. He owned and lived in the 
house now owned by John E. Cowden, Esq., at the Ferry. 

On the 28th of December Ephraim Weed died at the Pond 
Hills, where he was born December 29th, 1750, being eighty- 
one years old lacking one day. He was town clerk twenty- 
seven years and selectman three years. The old house in 
which he was born and died stood just south of Mr. O. Everett 
Sargent's. It was a very ancient house and may have been 
built by the first Ephraim Weed, son of John Weed, 1st. It 
was torn down soon after his death. 

The organization of the Congregational church of Salisbury 
and Amesbury Mills was completed December 6th. Eleazer A. 
Johnson was chosen clerk and held the office more than forty 
years. Jonathan A. Sargent and George Perkins were chosen 
deacons. No minister was settled at this time. 

1832. 

The "middle road," laid out last year by the commissioners, 
was unpopular with a large majority of the people and it was 
determined to get rid of it if possible. At the annual meeting 
the selectmen were authorized to build it, but, in May, the 
selectmen were ordered to notify the commissioners that the 

44 



346 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

town refused to build it. Many people thought that there was 
no occasion for cutting the farms to their great damage 
and compelling the town to be at great expense in working it. 
But the town became satisfied that there was no way to get rid 
of it, and July 2d a meeting was called and Jonathan Morrill, 
jr., and Lowell Bagley were chosen a committee to build it. It 
is really a very convenient road and could hardly be spared at 
present. 

A very general alarm spread through the land at this time, in 
consequence of the appearance of the Asiatic cholera in some 
of the large cities. Stringent sanitary measures were adopted 
and every precaution taken to prevent its spread. In this town 
a meeting was held and a board of health chosen to take 
charge of the whole matter. A circular was adopted by the 
meeting and printed for distribution through the town. A very 
general "cleaning up time" followed: cellars and rooms were 
whitewashed, lime sprinkled on cesspools and all foul places, 
and, in short, no such extensive sanitary measures had been 
enforced since the settlement of the town. The health commit- 
tee were empowered to provide a hospital for the reception of 
all who might be taken with this plague, and to draw on the 
treasury for a sum not exceeding $300. Nothing since the old 
small-pox days had produced so much excitement as this dreaded 
Asiatic cholera. It did not spread as expected and there were 
no cases in town. 

At the presidential election in November there were three 
hundred and fifty-five votes cast, divided as follows : Whigs, 
one hundred and ninety-four ; Democrats, one hundred and 
sixty-one. 

Dr. Philip Towle died March 4th at Charleston, S. C, whither 
he had gone for his health. He was a very amiable person and 
highly esteemed by those who knew him. 

July nth. Eliphalet Barnard's barn was burnt, but the cause 
of the fire has never been fully ascertained. 

1833. 

The house of the late Elijah Weed at the Pond Hills, stand- 
ing where Mr. Daniel O. Weed built a few years ago, was pur- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 347 

chased by Mr. John C. Bartlett, to be removed to Bartlett's 
Corner; but bad luck prevented its arrival there. On its way, 
near Daniel Weed's lane, Mr. Joseph Boardman was accident- 
ally killed while assisting in the removal. With a great deal of 
labor it was hauled opposite the late Joseph Merrill's and there 
sold to Mr. Jonathan Ring, who took it down and re-built it 
near Ring's bridge for his son George. It is now owned and 
occupied by Mr. Jonathan Ring, grandson of the first-named 
Jonathan Ring. 

At the November meeting the articles of amendment to the 
Constitution of Massachusetts, in relation to compulsory support 
of any particular sect of religion, came before the meeting and 
were adopted by a vote of one hundred and thirty-five yeas to 
two nays. 

Nov. 13th. This evening is remarkable for the great number 
of meteors which fell thick and fast to the number of three 
hundred, causing much alarm. 

1834. 

The selectmen were instructed not to approbate the sale of 
wine, cider or other fermented liquors, and it was voted to 
request the commissioners not to license any person to sell the 
same in town. 

A new apportionment of the school money was made as fol- 
lows, viz. : — 

Ferry district, 

Mills district, 

Lion's Mouth district, 

Pleasant Valley district, 

Pond Hills district, 

River district, 

The foregoing may serve to illustrate the change of popula- 
tion which had taken place during the last forty- five years. At 
this date the River district received $40 more than the Corner 
district, but this has long since been reversed. Birch Meadow 
district received $4 more than Bear Hill district, but, at present, 
the latter district has more than treble the number of scholars of 
the former. 



$185. 


Highland district, 


$79- 


296. 


Birch Meadow district, 


86. 


58. 


Bear Hill district, 


82. 


72. 


Pond district, 


40. 


72. 


Corner district, 


95- 


J 35- 







348 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

June 9th. Benjamin R. Hutchinson was drowned in the river 
near the landing while bathing. He was a teacher, having 
taught at the Pond Hills during the past winter. 

On the 5th of March Rev. Joseph H. Towne was installed 
pastor of the Congregational church and society at the Mills. 

A return of the crops in town was this year made to the 
legislature, from which the following is taken : " raised 8000 
bushels of corn, 2500 bushels of rye and barley and 900 tons 
of upland hay." In the West parish five hundred and fifty 
carriages were built, mostly chaises, employing one hundred and 
fifty hands and requiring a capital of $30,000. 

For some five or six years past the idea of introducing the 
cultivation of silk has been entertained by a few persons, and 
the cultivation of the Chinese Mulberry tree has been com- 
menced in various towns in the county. In this town Capt. 
Thomas Bailey, a ship-builder, at the Ferry, owning the wharf 
and buildings recently owned by the late A. S. Bailey, Esq., 
had planted a large number of trees on land favorably situated 
for that purpose. At this time he had five thousand trees in 
fine condition, and more than one hundred thousand wonns 
within ten days of maturity. His large store-house had been 
fitted for feeding the wonns and everything seemed to promise 
success. But some evil-disposed persons broke into the prem- 
ises and satisfied their malice by throwing down the benches and 
destroying nearly all the worms. This was fatal to the silk cul- 
ture in Amesbury, and only the scattered trees on various farms 
remained in a few years to preserve the memory of the 
"silk fever." 

1835. 

Several petitions were this year presented to the county com- 
missioners for widening and straightening roads, one of which 
was by William Pecker and others for improving the River road 
from the Ferry westward through Pleasant Valley. The town, 
as usual, opposed the measure, but without success. 

The aged Revolutionary soldier, William Huntington, died 
February 15 th. He lived on the road now known as Highland 
street in a one-story house, which is yet standing near Simon 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 349 

Phillips'. He was in the army for some length of time and 
was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. For many years he 
drew a pension of eight dollars per month, which was his main 
support. He was nearly eighty years of age. 

The new meeting-house at Salisbury Point was raised Septem- 
ber 1st and dedicated December 31st, when Rev. John Gunni- 
son was installed pastor. The society adopted the title of 
"Union Evangelical Church of Salisbury and Amesbury," and is 
largely composed of Amesbury people. 

Rev. Benjamin Bell, for several years pastor of the First 
church, died December 31st. In his young days he was an 
eloquent preacher and drew full houses. He was a strong Cal- 
vinist, believing in infant damnation and seldom failed to preach 
his sentiments pretty plainly. In old age he was dependent 
upon the town for support and died in the almshouse. 

A steamer from Boston was this year engaged to carry excur- 
sion parties on the Merrimac river during the warm season. 

Rev. Benjamin Sawyer resigned the pastorate of the First 
church in Amesbury, where he had labored since 1814. Other 
societies in the villages had drawn away the members to such 
an extent that money for stated preaching could hardly be 
raised. Mr. Sawyer was the last minister settled. 

1836. 

The petition of Josiah B. Gale and others, filed last year for 
the improvement of the main street at the Mills and, also, a 
new bridge, was successful, and the selectmen were ordered to 
build a new stone bridge, provided Salisbury consented to the 
arrangement. 

The petition of William Pecker and others was, also, success- ' 
ful, and the River road received important alterations in numer- 
ous places. The order, however, was not fully carried out, 
causing some trouble forty years afterwards. 

Capt. Thomas Bailey was allowed by the town to build a 
dam across the brook which divides the Ferry and Pleasant 
Valley school districts, near the late Ira Miles', "provided he 
dont injure the road." Mr. Bailey subsequently built a dam 
and mill here for grinding and other purposes, and the road 
w as changed to the south, over the heavy dam. 



35 O HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The town having assisted Aaron Colby while living, agreed 
after his death to acquit all claims to his estate, provided suffi- 
cient security was given for the support of Abigail Colby, his 
widow. 

Nov. 14th was presidential election day and the vote stood : 
Whigs, one hundred and fifty-nine ; Democrats, one hundred 
and fifty-five. 

The Universalist society of West and South Amesbury built a 
meeting-house this year. It was located at West Amesbury, 
opposite the residence of Jonathan B. Sargent, Esq., on the 
main street. 

The Ferry school district at the annual meeting voted that 
the rear fence be pulled up and sold, and the proceeds laid 
out on or about the house, and David L. Dearborn was chosen 
to carry the vote into effect. In 1834 the sum of $150 was 
expended on the premises, and, probably, this fence was built 
then, and, perhaps, contrary to the notions of some portion of 
the district. 

Primas Hale, a colored man, died November 2 2d. He was, 
many years ago, Deacon Orlando Sargent's slave, but where or 
when he bought him has not been ascertained. He lived at 
the Pond Hills in a small house nearly opposite the new house 
of Mr. B. F. Huntington, a while after leaving his master, and 
the cellar is yet to be seen. He afterwards removed the house 
to the Ferry, at the foot of Goodridge's lane, where he lived 
many years. He was a constant attendant at church, occupying 
the north front pew in the east gallery of the Sandy Hill church. 
Mrs. Hale died in 1828 and the aged widower lived alone till his 
death. 

Since the resignation of Rev. Benjamin Sawyer at the East 
parish, the project of disposing of the old meeting-house has 
been discussed, and an article was inserted in the warrant for 
the annual meeting to see what measures should be taken for 
the erection of a new house. The decision of the meeting was 
"that it is expedient to build a new house." The meeting was 
adjourned for two weeks, and, on re-assembling, it was "voted 
that the parish take the money that is subscribed and the par- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 35 1 

ish meeting house and build a new house and if there is any 
deficiency to sell the parish house to make up the deficiency." 
A committee, consisting of Valentine Bagley, Amos Weed and 
Robert Patten, Esq., was chosen to carry the vote into effect. 
The plan was feasible and might have been carried out, but 
it was allowed to fall through for want of resolution. 

Oct. 30th. Rev. Joseph H. Towne was dismissed from the 
pastorate of the Congregational church at the Mills, and on the 
7th of December Rev. Seth H. Keeler was installed. 

The Powow River bank was incorporated this year with a 
capital of $100,000. The corporators were Seth Clark, Robert 
Patten, Jonathan B. Webster and their associates. Seth Clark, 
sen., was chosen president and Nathaniel White cashier. 

St. James Church was consecrated October 2 2d. It was a 
small building, occupying the site of the present church. The 
society had previously worshipped in Washington hall, and Rev. 
Joseph H. Price was pastor in 1833. Rev. Henry M. Davis 
was now engaged to supply the pulpit for one year. 

This year people were very much alarmed by the appearance 
of small-pox in town. Several cases occurred and Jonathan 
Morrill, Esq., gave up his house for a pest-house. There proved 
to be but few cases and the excitement soon died away. 

The removal of John Greenleaf Whittier to Amesbury is one 
of the prominent events of the year. He was born in Haver- 
hill on the homestead of his ancestor, Thomas Whittier, in 1808. 
Although born and reared on a farm, Mr. Whittier showed no 
special inclination to follow the calling of his ancestors, but 
early manifested a taste for literary pursuits. When but twenty 
years of age, he became editor of a paper in Boston entitled 
the "American Manufacturer," and some two years later he 
assumed the responsible position of editor of the "New England 
Review," printed at Hartford, Connecticut, which connection 
continued for two years. Subsequently he became corresponding 
editor of the Washington "National Era," which position he 
filled with marked ability for several years. 

His thorough knowledge of New England scenery, early tra- 
ditions and habits of the people have given to his home bal- 



35 2 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



lads a charm which no other poet can claim. In the poem 
entitled the "Witch's Daughter," we find very touchingly por- 
trayed the feelings of the disgraced daughter in consequence of 
the frowns and jeers of those with whom she is obliged to asso- 
ciate. His love of toleration and freedom is conspicuous in 
every line of the "Exiles." Other poems of local scenery are 
equally interesting and appropriate, sparkling with gems of 
thought which endear them to the descendants of those early 
pioneers, who settled this romantic valley. 

Mr. Whittier established his home on Friend street, at the 
foot of "Whitcher's" hill, to which he removed the present year. 
Most of his popular poems have been written since his removal 
to Amesbury. 



_ . ^-- : _.____.__ ^ _________ 



' W.- 




MR, whittier's residence. 

1837. 

The River road was widened last year by the commissioners, 
and the town now ordered the selectmen to make the required 
repairs. 

The River school district was divided by order of the town 
and the Landing district designated as No. Eleven. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



353 



This year is specially noted for the sharp contest in regard 
to the town's share of the " Surplus Revenue." For several 
years the country had enjoyed great prosperity, business of all 
kinds had been good, revenue had accumulated in the Treas- 
ury, the national debt had been extinguished, and yet many 
millions remained in the Treasury for which government had 
no use. Under the apprehension that it might be used for bad 
purposes Congress very properly decided to deposit it with the 
states. This state carried the idea further and deposited it 
with the towns. It soon became a bone of contention, dividing 
the people into two classes, the one favoring an equal distribu- 
tion, the other strongly opposed to any division of the money. 
Mr. Daniel Sargent, treasurer, was authorized to receive this 
town's share, having given bonds for the faithful discharge of 
that trust. The first instalment was received and the question 
of its disposition at once forced itself upon the town. Excite- 
ment ran high, and bitter feeling very generally prevailed. 

April 3d. A town meeting was held, and it was decided to 
deposit the Surplus Revenue among the inhabitants according to 
population (paupers excepted), and Jonathan B. Sargent, Jon- 
athan Morrill, jr., Benjamin Rowell, William Nichols and Daniel 
Weed were chosen a committee to carry the vote into effect. 
The treasurer was, however, opposed to this division, and was 
not inclined to pass the money over to this committee for such 
a purpose, and thus the matter rested till May 2 2d, when a 
second meeting was held and the whole matter reconsidered. 
It was decided to loan it to voters in sums not larger than 
$100, good security being taken, with interest, to be paid 
annually. The ascendant party were of opinion that it might 
be called for at some future time, and should be where it 
could be called in. 

A strong rally of the divisionists followed June 5 th when 
the whole doings of the last meeting were set aside and 
the division policy reaffirmed. But here an unexpected diffi- 
culty was met. The treasurer had possession of the money, 
and, backed by the selectmen and a strong party, refused to 
give it up to agents appointed to receive it. The agents im- 

45 



354 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

mediately commenced a suit in behalf of the " Inhabitants of 
the Town Amesbury against Jacob Gove and others, Selectmen 
of Amesbury," to recover the money. Thus stood matters at 
the close of 1837. 

The selectmen were authorized to purchase two hearses for 
the use of ^he town, and also to provide suitable houses. 

By request of Peter S. Eaton, pastor of the 2d church, a 
council was held May 10th to consider his request for a dis- 
mission. Mr. Eaton's request having been granted an invita- 
tion was extended by the church to Rev. Lucius W. Clark, which 
was accepted, and he was installed Nov. 1st. 

The West Amesbury Universalist Society was organized this • 
year, and Rev. E. G. Brooks was ordained pastor. 

Rev. Charles C. Taylor was called to supply the pulpit of the 
Episcopal society, and retained till 1840. 

The manufacture of shoes at Haverhill having become an 
extensive and lucrative business, employment was given to a 
very great number of workmen in the adjoining towns. The 
work employed a large number of shoemakers in this town, and 
also binders, and seemed to be one of the chief branches of 
industry. The town was literally dotted with shoe shops, and 
it had really come to be an age of shoemakers. For some 
years it had been a very profitable employment, but during the 
latter part of the year a financial crash came which swept away 
this branch among others for a season. General bankruptcy 
prevailed among the manufacturers. 

1838. 

The old contest in regard to the disposition of the surplus 
money was again renewed at the annual meeting, and, the anti- 
division party being in the ascendency, it was decided to appro- 
priate it to school purposes. The interest was to be paid annu- 
ally to the prudential committees of the districts. This was a 
wise measure, but destined to come to naught. 

i\.pril 2d. The divisionists called a meeting which was nearly 
equally divided. The opposing parties marshalled their forces 
on the choice of moderator and William Nichols, Esq., received 
one hundred and fifty-six votes, which was just the required 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 355 

number for a choice, thus giving the divisionists a slight advan- 
tage. This was rather a faint victory, but the meeting proceeded 
to undo the work of the preceding one, and soon things wore 
an entirely different aspect. 

For the third time depositing with the inhabitants was ordered 
and all necessary measures to carry the vote into effect were 
passed. A committee, consisting of Jonathan B. Sargent, Dan- 
iel Weed and Benjamin Rowell, was chosen to loan the money 
to the inhabitants, taking notes payable when called for by the 
government. 

The contest was given up by the opposing party and two 
dollars per head (paupers excepted) were loaned to the inhab- 
itants, parents taking for those under them. Thus ended this 
bitter contest, although it was not soon forgotten. 

Sept. 20th. Rev. James B. Hadley was ordained pastor of 
the Union Evangelical society at the Ferry and Point. 

July 12th. Joseph Stockman in attempting to swim across 
the Merrimac river, near William E. Worthen's, was drowned. 
In his younger days he followed the sea and was an excellent 
swimmer ; but, at eighty years of age, he was not able to swim 
the Merrimac. He lived where Mr. Trustum Hobson now 
resides and was a descendant of John and Sarah ( Bradbury ) 
Stockman, of Salisbury, who were married "io th 3 mo 167 1." 
For many years he lived in the little cottage under "y e Wolf 
Peet," since occupied by Jonathan Goodwin, but torn down 
several years ago. 

1839. 

Daniel Weed, Esq., died October 10th, having held the 
office of town clerk for the last twenty years. He was a good 
penman and the records were neatly and faithfully kept. For many 
years he taught school winters and occasionally summers. x\s a 
disciplinarian he was very successful, and roguish boys, who 
were disposed to play, under his magic influence changed their 
minds and concluded to "play no more." He served as chair- 
man of the selectmen in 1838 and was for many years treas- 
urer and collector. He was a son of Capt. Ephraim Weed, 
who served as town clerk nearly thirty years previous to his term. 



356 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Mr. Amos Weed was appointed clerk and afterwards elected 
to the office till 1844. 

Capt. John Blaisdell, a Revolutionary soldier, died August 21st 
at the Ferry. He was in the service some time and for many 
years received a pension from the government. He died at the 
great age of eight- two years. The old French gun which he 
used against the "red coats on the run," and which was very 
dear to him towards the last of his days, is now in the pos- 
session of the writer. 

Capt. Valentine Bagley died January 19th. He will be 
remembered by the older portion of the people at the Ferry 
as the landlord of the tavern house at Bartlett's Corner, which 
he kept for many years in the good old style of those times. 
The tavern is now the private residence of Mr. Daniel Hunt- 
ington. A large open yard was then left for public use, and it 
was a lively place during the May trainings. The sign post 
with its swinging sign stood at the street end of the house, 
nearly in the road, warning the weary traveller that here he 
might find a home. 

In his young days Mr. Bagley followed the sea and was once 
cast away on the Desert of Arabia, where he narrowly escaped 
with his life. His terrible sufferings commenced July 10th, 
1792, when the vessel was found to be ashore on the sandy 
coast of Arabia. But few of the crew which started to cross the 
desert lived to perform the journey. The rough treatment from 
the wandering Arabs, the burning sands and want of water was 
more than ordinary constitutions could endure. Mr. Bagley' s 
strong constitution carried him through this fiery trial and he 
arrived home to spend the remainder of his days in peace and 
plenty. It has been said that he dug his well near the street 
that all might drink and not suffer as he had done in his wan- 
derings across the desert. 

The River district built a new school-house this year and the 
citizens subscribed a sufficient sum for a hall in the upper 
story for the accommodation of the village. At a later date 
this hall was purchased for a school-room. 

The Congregational society at West Amesbury built a new 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 357 

meeting-house this year, which was located where the present 
church stands. 

The Universalist society at West Amesbury settled Rev. J. S. 
Barry as their pastor this year. 

On the 7th of October Rev. Seth H. Keeler was dismissed 
from the pastorate of the Congregational church and society 
at the Mills. 

1840, 

Appropriations: Schools, $1500; Poor, etc. $2500 ; Highways, 
$1200. At the annual meeting a committee was chosen to con- 
sider the expediency of selling the poor-farm. It was located 
on Saunders' hill, and the soil was wet and heavy, which ren- 
dered it unfit for old people to work on, and hence the neces- 
sity of selling it. 

April 6th. A meeting was held and the selectmen were 
instructed to sell the farm. 

The necessity of a Town House was beginning to be felt, 
and at the annual meeting a committee was chosen to consider 
the matter and report a suitable location. But at the April 
meeting the town voted to take no action in regard to the 
matter, and the subject was dropped temporarily. 

The White Hall road having been widened and straightened 
to the New Hampshire line by the commissioners, the select- 
men were ordered to work and repair the same. 

The proprietors of the Essex "Merrimac bridge having peti- 
tioned for an extension of their charter, the town authorized the 
selectmen to employ counsel to defeat the petition. 

This year is more specially known for the " hard cider cam- 
paign" and election of William Henry Harrison to the Presi- 
dency. The vote in Amesbury was 493, being the largest ever 
cast. Harrison had 269, Van Buren 213, and the Abolition 
ticket 11. 

Sept. 1 6th. Rev. Samuel H. Merrill was installed as pastor 
over the Congregational church and society at the Mills. 

A porch and spire was this year built to the Congregational 
church at the Mills at an expense of about $1500. 

Mr. James H. Davis opened a school in the Academy this 



358 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

spring and was liberally patronized by the public. For several 
years this school had languished, sometimes being discontinued 
altogether for a season, and again being revived under some 
transient teacher. Mr. Davis proved a popular teacher, and 
continued his labors during the summer seasons until 1850, some- 
times having more than seventy scholars. 

The population of the town is 2,471, as given by the last 
census. 

1841. 

The new road from the pound winding along under the hill 
to Orlando Sargent's was built this year. The old one over the 
hill past Davis Mason's had been a source of great expense 
on account of being blocked with snow every winter. By this 
new route the hill and snow were both avoided. 

The Universalist society at West Amesbury settled the Rev. 
J. J. Locke as pastor the present year. 

Rev. Silas Blaisdell was engaged as minister by the Episcopal 
society this year and retained till 1844. 

A sad accident occurred on the 13th of January which 
resulted in the death of Mr. Enoch Wells, a highly respected 
resident of this town. Mr. Wells was standing in front of a 
picker machine which he was tending in the large mill of the 
Salisbury Company, when it suddenly burst, killing him instantly. 
Mr. William Foot was leaning against the side of the machine 
at the time, but escaped urihurt. Mr. Wells was 53 years of 
age, and by trade a hatter, but entered the service of the Sal- 
isbury Company soon after the completion of the large mill on 
High street. He was a descendant of the Rev. Thomas Wells, 
the faithful pastor for more than sixty years. 

1842. 

The report of the committee chosen in 1840 to consider the 
propriety of selling the poor-farm was received and accepted 
and the committee was authorized to execute a deed of sale. It 
was subsequently sold to John Evans, Esq., of Salisbury, who 
occupied it till his death. Having disposed of the farm, it 
became necessary to return to the old system of putting out 
the poor to the "best advantage" for the town. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 359 

July 27th. Nathan Nutter, Thomas Osgood and Isaac Mar- 
tin, all living at the Ferry, went out over the bar in a sail boat 
for a fare of fish, as they had often done before ; but, either 
by accident or a sudden squall, they were upset and drowned. 
They were well-known residents, somewhat past the middle age 
and not so well calculated to manage a sail boat as in their 
younger days. The boat was not considered a safe one. 

Aug. 31st. A council was called for the dismission of Rev. 
Lucius W. Clark from the pastorate of the Congregational 
church of West Amesbury. His connection with this church 
being dissolved, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Henry 
B. Smith, which was accepted, and he was ordained as pas- 
tor December 29th. 

A fine toned bell was placed in the tower of the Congrega- 
tional church at the Mills, costing $400. 

1843. 

This year it was decided to build a town house, and its loca- 
tion was fixed "between the houses of Josiah D. Challis and 
Thomas Hoyt." One thousand dollars were appropriated and the 
selectmen were appointed to oversee the work. The ancient 
meeting-house at West Amesbury had been taken down and no 
convenient place could be had there for the alternate meetings. 

Jonathan Ring and others, inhabitants of "little Salisbury," 
as it was called, petitioned the legislature to be annexed to 
Amesbury, and their petition was granted. 

James Horton and others petitioned the General Court for 
leave to construct a railroad from the Eastern road to the Mills, 
and leave was granted. 

Jonathan Elliott petitioned for leaye to construct a railroad 
from the Mills to New Hampshire line. Both of these routes 
were approved by the town, but only the Salisbury branch built. 

The Powow River bridge at the Ferry was re-built with two 
stone arches in a substantial manner at great expense. 

The Universal ist society at West Amesbury settled Rev. G. G. 
Strickland as pastor this year. 

March 5th. The house of Jonathan Morrill, Esq., at the 
Buttonvvood, was burnt to the ground this day. It was a bitter 



360 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

cold day with a stiff breeze from the northwest, and in about 
thirty minutes after the fire broke out not a timber remained 
standing. It caught from a defect in the chimney in the attic, 
and had made such progress before discovery that very little of 
its contents were saved. Among the valuable articles destroyed 
were thirty bushels of wheat, thirty bushels of rye, forty bushels 
of corn and more than one hundred bushels of potatoes and 
a large amount of furniture and clothing. It was a very ancient 
house, built, probably, previous to 1700. 

1844. 

Presidential election this year, and the vote stood Whig 207, 
Democrat 167. The town was divided into three parties which 
prevented the choice of a representative to General Court, the 
vote standing Joseph Kingsbury (W.) 149, Joseph Merrill, jr. 
(D.) 140, John G. Whittier (Ab.) 105. A. L. Bailey, Esq. had 
95 votes for representative to Congress. Joseph Merrill, jr. 
was this year chosen town clerk, and retained the office till 
1880. 

Nov. 5th. Rev. Samuel H. Merrill was dismissed from the 
pastorate of the Mills Congregational church and society, and 
Rev. John H. Merdough was engaged as stated supply Dec. 
15th, and was retained till 1849. 

Rev. D. Gordon Estes was elected rector of St. James church, 
and officiated till 1850. 

1845. 

For some years the people at the Pond and Bear Hill had 
been discussing the need of a road west of the pond to con- 
nect the Bear Hill and Pond roads and open direct communi- 
cation with Southampton. A petition was now presented to the 
Commissioners to locate such road. The town strongly opposed 
the measure, and by their committee, chosen for the purpose, 
defeated the petitioners. 

At the June meeting the committee appointed to work the 
White Hall road were instructed to finish it to the acceptance 
of the commissioners. 

A Universalist society was incorporated under a general stat- 
ute of the Commonwealth at the Mills April 8th. This society 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 36 I 

was started in Washington Hall some two years ago, and may 
be considered a continuation of the society which existed here 
many years ago, probably as early as 1800. The small house 
occupied by the Episcopal society was purchased and moved to 
Friend street, where it was refitted and occupied by this society. 
Rev. George G. Strickland was the first pastor. 

The first planing machine in town was set up by Thomas 
Bailey in his mill at the Ferry this year. 

1846.- 

The peculiarity of this year was the mania for building rail- 
roads although none were built. The first project was a railroad 
from the Mills to Plaistow, N. H. which the town heartily 
endorsed by way of approving resolutions, and the second was 
from the Mills by way of South Amesbury to the Boston and 
Maine. This also received the town's approval, no preference 
being given to either route. Both were endorsed and both came 
to naught. 

Stephen Kendrick was this year appointed to take charge of 
the East parish burying ground which office he held till his 
death in 1875. 

Nov. 5th. The new Episcopal church was this day conse- 
crated. Its location is on the site of the small church of 1836, 
on Main street. A committee was appointed last year to 
commence the work. A stone was taken from the foundation 
of the ancient church at Pond Hills and placed in the founda- 
tion here to denote a continuance of the same church. 

1847. 

At the annual meeting $100 was appropriated to repair the 
Centre burying ground and $200 to repair the East parish bury- 
ing ground. 

May 17th. A meeting was held to consider the petition for 
"widening and straightening the road from Tappan Sargent's to 
the post-office " at South Amesbury. A committee was chosen 
to oppose the measure, but without success, and the road was 
finally worked according to the order of the commissioners. 

The subject of a new town was pretty freely agitated at the 
East end and a petition sent to the legislature for an act incor- 

46 



362 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

porating the territory as far west as the Kimball road into a 
separate town. 

To check and defeat this measure, a town meeting was called 
December 9th and the following resolutions passed almost 
unanimously : — 

" Resolved, That the citizens of the town of Amesbury in 
their collective capacity do agree that they cannot under' exist- 
ing circumstances consent to allow any portion of their territo- 
rial limits to be assumed or surrendered for the creation of any 
new town within her original borders." 

"Resolved, That having met in town meeting pursuant to a 
notice from the State Legislature in reference to a petition to 
that body from some of our citizens asking for a new town to 
embrace a considerable portion of our territory and likewise to 
embrace the most densely inhabited part of it— we do solemnly 
protest against the measure as uncalled for on the part of the 
petitioners and in direct opposition to the feelings and views 
of a very large proportion of our citizens." 

"Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to go 
before the committee of the Legislature at the time and place 
appointed and have such a hearing as may subserve the cause 
and import of the foregoing resolutions." 

"Voted That the Committee employ counsel if they deem 

it expedient." 

Patten Sargent, \ 

Abner L. Bailey, ,- Committee. 

William Nichols, ) 

The measure was defeated and the good old town saved 
from mutilation. 

Rev. Henry B. Smith of the Congregational church at West 
Amesbury was dismissed by a council held September 29th. 

Rev. S. C. Hewitt was this year installed as pastor of the 
Universalist society at the Mills. 

1848. 

A code of by-laws was adopted regulating the police affairs 
of the town, and, also, a stringent dog law requiring every owner 
to pay $2.00 for a license each year. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 363 

The question of buying a poor-farm was again agitated, and 
at a meeting held April 7th a committee was chosen to look 
out a suitable place. But at the November meeting a large 
committee was chosen to report to the town the expense of 
keeping the poor ten years with and ten years without a farm. 
The move, whatever its intention might have been, delayed 
matters so that nothing was accomplished this year. 

Since the dismissal of Rev. Benjamin Sawyer in the East 
parish no minister had been settled, although occasional preach- 
ing had been obtained and lay brethren had held sendees dur- 
ing warm weather. Deacon Hezekiah Colby was a constant 
and faithful exhorter, collecting a few of the older people who 
were strongly attached to this ancient house and unwilling to 
change their place of worship. The attendance, however, grew less 
each succeeding season and the house was evidently growing 
worse for wear, for a deserted building is always a target for 
mischievous boys and evil-minded persons. To allow it to 
remain to be riddled by stones and torn piece-meal away was 
hardly desirable, and, accordingly, a meeting was called and a 
vote passed authorizing its sale. Thus in one hnndred and 
thirty-three years from its first erection at the parsonage and 
eighty-eight years after its rebuilding at Sandy Hill, this ven- 
erable house was removed to be seen no more. A single sketch 
by Mr. Daniel Nayson is all that has saved its once familiar 
form from oblivion. The site is now owned by A. S. Adams, 
Esq., and Robert W. Patten, Esq. 

The Congregational church at West Amesbury extended a call 
to Rev. Albert Paine to settle as pastor, and he was ordained 
September 7 th. 

A company was incorporated at West Amesbury for the man- 
ufacture of wheels, with a capital of $40,000. Thomas T. Mer- 
rill was appointed agent. Hitherto wheels had been made by hand 
process, and its slow work gave employment to many wheel- 
wrights. At this factory nicely adjusted machinery performed 
nearly all the work. At a later date the manufacture of car- 
riage parts was added to the business. The factory was located 
on Cobler's brook, near Humphrey Nichols' mill. 



364 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

1849. 

The town having decided to purchase a poor-farm, chose a 
committee consisting of William Nichols, Robert Patten and 
Lowell Bagley to carry the measure into effect. After due exam- 
ination of various localities they decided to purchase part of the 
homestead of Deacon Isaac Tuxbury, at the Lion's Mouth. The 
premises were properly fitted for an almshouse by the town, 
and the poor removed to their new home where they have 
been kindly cared for. 

The new Free Baptist meeting-house on Friend street being 
completed was dedicated September 26th. This house was 
built on the site occupied for many years by the Friends. The 
old house was sold and removed to Pond street, where it has 
since been occupied as a tenement house. The church has had 
fourteen pastors, viz. : Rev. Messrs. Hanscom, McMurphy, Mer- 
rill, Davis, Hurling, Rand, Haines, Baker, Blake, Locke, Hough- 
taling, Maddox, George and Waldron. 

Rev. E. Howe was engaged to supply the pulpit of the 
Universalist society at West Amesbury, and Rev. Josiah Oilman 
at the Mills. 

1850. 

Appropriation for Schools, $2000, Poor, $4000, Highway, 
$1000. 

Ship-building to a limited extent was carried on at the Ferry 
by Osgood & McKay, and the town granted them part of the 
landing for their accommodation. 

At the November meeting the sum of $2000 was appropriated 
to purchase four fire engines, to be located at the four villages, 
to protect them from fires. This was on condition that the 
villages furnish suitable buildings to keep them in. This action 
on the part o'f the town was induced by the burning of the 
house of William Chase, at South Amesbury, the preceding 
October. The town was awakened to the fact that no protec- 
tion had been given to the four villages against fire and also to 
the necessity of such protection. 

April 17th. Rev. Rufus King was ordained as pastor of the 
Congregational church and society at the Mills. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 365 

Rev. W. Williams was elected rector of St. James church, 
and continued till 1852. 

Mr. J. H. Davis having erected a commodious school room 
at the Mills on Friend street, removed his school from the 
Academy to his new room, where he continued to labor with 
abundant success for many years. 

The society of Friends having disposed of their old meeting- 
house and lot, purchased a lot of Eliphalet Barnard, on Friend 
street, and built the present convenient house this year. 

The population of the town by the census taken this year, 

is 3>!43- 

1851. 

In 1836 Thomas Bailey built a mill for grinding and other 
purposes south of the road near the Merrimac Hat factory, as 
now located, and the road was changed over the hill, running 
close by the north side of the mill, where a heavy dam was 
built. A second dam was built a little north of the house of 
Ira Miles, which formed the large meadow into a reservoir con- 
taining a large body of water. Early this spring (April 2d) a 
sudden heavy rain swelled the pond to an unusual height, when 
the second dam gave way, precipitating the water against the 
first one near the river, and mill and dam were washed into 
the Merrimac. The road was restored to its ancient location, 
where it has since remained. 

The question of calling a convention to revise the constitution 
was acted upon at the November meeting and decided in the 
negative by a vote of two hundred and one yeas and two hund- 
red and ninety-eight nays. 

The road located at West Amesbury by the selectmen, from 
Humphrey Nichols' past the wheel factory to the new 
highway, and, also, one at South Amesbury, from the house 
of Ephraim Goodwin to that of Charles L. Rowell, were 
accepted by the town and became public highways. Also, 
one other road from near the house of William H. Haskell 
on Main street to the last mentioned street. 

On the 1 6th of April a storm raged from the north-east, 
which caused a heavy freshet in the river and the shores 



366 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

were swept by the rapid current. The old " Buttonwood tree " 
standing snug by the tide, on a little bank near Thomas 
Page's, was swept away, floating down the river with its roots 
upwards. This had been a famous tree, and mentioned as 
a bound nearly back to the year 1700. It had been some- 
what decayed for many years, the top branches gradually 
falling off, and the river had washed nearer and nearer its 
roots till it yielded to the tide. It was, probably, quite a tree 
when the town was first settled, and gave name to the district. 

The Ferry built a new school-house this year and located it 
on the homestead of the late Benjamin Lurvey, Esq. The old 
brick house built in 1796 was taken down and the lot sold. 

Rev. H. P. Cutting was settled by the Universalist society at 
West Amesbury during the year. 

1852. 

A stringent code of by-laws in relation to dogs was passed 
and approved by the court, which required all dogs to be muz- 
zled and collared under a penalty of not less than five dollars 
nor more than ten, and to continue in force till rescinded by 
the town. 

The most prominent and saddest event of the year was the 
strike of the operatives in the Salisbury mills. Mr. Derby, the 
agent, abolished the ancient privilege of leaving the mill at 
luncheon time and thereupon a very general dissatisfaction arose, 
which soon ended in a general stoppage of business. The 
privilege was trifling and worth no contention, many of the 
workmen seldom availing themselves of it, and yet it was deter- 
mined to contend for the right. 

The town took sides with the operatives and, at a meeting 
held for the purpose, strong resolutions were passed and the 
sum of $2000 appropriated to assist those out of employment. 
The company refused to yield and the contest was finally 
given up, but not till great damage had resulted to the village. 
And to-day the population of the village is not what it would 
have been but for the strike. 

Nov. 2d. Presidential election occurred, at which the Whigs 
cast one hundred and eighty-seven votes, Democrats one hund- 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 367 

red and ninety-two, and Abolitionists one hundred and twenty-five. 

Rev. J. Davenport was settled by the Universalist society at 
West Amesbury. 

Rev. Benjamin Austin was elected rector of St. James church 
and continued till 1854. 

Rev. J. E. Pomfret was engaged as present supply by the 
Universalist society at the Mills. 

Mr. Alfred Bailey built a carpenter's shop on the brook near 
the old location of " Goodwin's mill," which was subsequently 
sold to the Merrimac Hat Company and used as a dye house 
after being enlarged. Mr. Bailey during the fall placed another 
building on the stream, nearer the river for mechanical purposes. 

1853. 

The state having decided to call a convention to revise the 
Constitution, it became necessary to choose a delegate for 
Amesbury, and at the annual March meeting Jonathan Nayson, 
Esq. was chosen. The work of revision was completed in time 
to be submitted to the towns at the November election. Eight 
propositions were laid before the town, No. 1 receiving 255 
yeas and 255 nays; No. 2, 257 yeas and 252 nays; No. 3, 
255 yeas and 254 nays; No. 4, 258 yeas and 251 nays; No. 
5, 264 yeas and 241 nays; No. 6, 278 yeas and 230 nays; 
No. 7, 258 yeas and 251 nays; No. 8, 257 yeas and 251 nays. 
The Constitution was rejected by the state, and the great 
expense it occasioned was a perfect waste. 

May 17th. Rev. Rufus King was dismissed from the pastor- 
ate of the Congregational church and society at the Mills, and 
Rev. N. Laselle was engaged as supply November 6th. 

A new and important branch of business was this year intro- 
duced at the Mills by Jacob R. Huntington, Esq., who 
commenced the manufacture of carriages on a small scale. Car- 
riages of the usual expensive kind had already been built here, 
but this new departure of Mr. Huntington's was calculated to 
supply a new demand. A class of less expensive work was 
needed to enable all to ride. The great expense of carriages 
has hitherto confined this luxury to the few, but now a change 
comes which is soon destined to fill our streets with carriages 



368 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

and extend die much coveted privilege of riding, to young and 
old. Mr. Huntington began business in the attic of Mr. J. N. 
Clark's bark mill, where the large Colchester mill now stands 
in Salisbury. Here, although somewhat troubled by the dust 
from the mill below, he managed to spread his varnish (he 
was a painter) and give the finishing touch to a few carriages 
which found a ready sale in the vicinity. But soon better 
accommodations were required for his increasing business and he 
built a carriage factory on Lincoln .court, where the business was 
continued till the establishment was burnt in April, 1869. In May 
of the same year he commenced building his present large fac- 
tory at Salisbury Mills (now occupied by Mr. James Hume), which, 
when completed, ''-enabled him to do a very large business. 
From this small beginning the business has increased till more 
than twenty manufactories have been established, turning out 
more than twelve thousand carriages per annum. In the work- 
shops here may be found all descriptions of work, costly and 
highly finished or otherwise, as the purchaser may desire. Much 
modern machinery is now in use, and the long experience of 
those now engaged in this business has enabled them to put 
upon the market a superior class of work capable of doing 
good service. 

May 20th. Two young men were drowned in Kimball's 
pond. They had obtained a boat and were sailing across the 
pond when a flaw of wind upset them and although good 
swimmers they were unable to swim ashore through the surf. 
These young men — Mosely and Porter — were familiar with the 
sea, having sailed nearly all over the world, and passed through 
perilous times, but were preserved to perish in a small pond. 

1854. 

A committee was chosen to negotiate for the sale of the 
town's landing at the Mills and were authorized to give a deed. 

John S. Morse and others petitioned the commissioners to 
lay out a road from New Hampshire line to Merrimac river. 
This was intended to avoid the sharp hill at the west end 
of Bear hill by a new route over the north cant of the hill, 
entering the old road near the house of Zacheus P. Thurlow 





BjdiotypePrinting Co,2lR-emontjiBoston,. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 369 

and continuing with little change to Johnson's corner, where 
a new way was to be opened to South Amesbury, connect- 
ing with the River road near the stone bridge. 

The town opposed the new measure, but the petitioners 
were finally successful and the road was located and built. 

Rev. Albert Paine, of the Congregational church at West 
Amesbury, was formally dismissed April nth, and Rev. Lean- 
der Thompson installed as pastor September 20th. 

1855. 

The town, by leave of the legislature, sold the ancient 
landing at the Mills to the Salisbury Manufacturing Company 
for the sum of $2045. This again brought up the question 
which caused the bitter strife of 1837, viz.: the division of 
the money among the inhabitants. This subject came up at the 
annual meeting, and the divisionists had their own way and 
ordered it to be divided "equally among the inhabitants 
(paupers excepted.)" But this vote was destined to be short 
lived, as on the 15 th inst. a second meeting was held and 
the former vote reconsidered. The money was put into the 
treasury to help pay the town debt. 

This disposition of the money was not acquiesced in by a 
portion of the citizens, and on the 29th inst. a meeting was 
held, when the divisionists met with a signal defeat, the vote 
standing sixty-six in favor of division and two hundred and 
thirty-six against. 

May 23d. A town meeting was held to act upon six articles 
of amendment to the constitution of Massachusetts. The vote 
stood twenty-five in favor and five against. 

The first article embraced the plurality system in elections, 
which has since become very popular and beneficial. The 
articles were all rejected, however, by the commonwealth. 

Rev. Robert F. Chase was elected rector of St. James 
church and retained till 1858. 

1856. 

The town remonstrated against the extension of the charter 
of the Essex Merrimac bridge, but without effect. 

This is the ever memorable " Know Nothing " year and the 

47 



370 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

vote at the fall election was very large. Henry J. Gardner, who 
was the Know Nothing candidate for governor, received four 
hnndred and twenty-eight votes and all others one hundred and 
fifty-three. 

The whole number of votes for presidential electors was 
five hundred and ninety-six, being the largest number ever cast. 

Rev. William P. Colby was engaged as pastor of the Univer- 
salist society at West Amesbury. 

Rev. A. C. Childs was installed pastor over the Congrega- 
tional church and society at the Mills November 19th. 

The Amesbury and Salisbury Agricultural and Horticultural 
society was organized this year. 

1857. 

A town meeting was held to make a new apportionment of 
the school money, and a plan was adopted, but changed at a 
subsequent meeting. It was found very difficult to make a just 
apportionment. 

Articles of amendment to the constitution were submitted to 
the March meeting and approved by a large majority. These 
were the 20th, 21st, and 2 2d articles. The 20th is the one requir- 
ing the reading and writing qualifications for voting, and was 
designed to disqualify illiterate persons. The 21st and 22d were in 
regard to a new organization of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives. 

In 1856 a law was passed for the preservation of fish, one 
requirement of which was the building of a sufficient sluiceway 
over the Lawrence dam for fish to pass. Amesbury was inter- 
ested in this matter on account of the shad which were annu- 
ally caught on the shores of the Merrimac, and which, without 
the means of reaching their spawning grounds, would, probably, 
leave the river. The Essex company at Lawrence was loth to 
build a fish-way and petitioned for its repeal. The annual 
meeting passed a lengthy remonstrance against the repeal. The 
fishing in the Merrimac had, from time immemorial, been car- 
ried on and was really of much importance to the town. It 
had been restricted to three days per week, but these had 
afforded a good supply of shad and sometimes salmon. At 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 371 

Pleasant Valley, Buttonwood and other places on the shores of 
the river, fishing grounds were owned, which were valuable 
during some three months of the year. But the erection of 
the Lawrence dam was destined to damage, if not wholly 
destroy this valuable privilege, unless a good and sufficient fish- 
way was built. 

From the days when old John Bailey had the exclusive con- 
trol of fishing in the Powow till the present time, the spring 
fishing in the Merrimac has afforded a good supply of shad to 
the adjacent country. 

Jan. 20th. Hezekiah Challis, a well-known resident of the 
Ferry, died at this date. He was born at the Buttonwood 
April 13th, 1778, and the house now owned and occupied by 
Miss E. C. Trussell, was built by him and his brother Timothy. 
He was a skillful mechanic, and, when manufacturing first com- 
menced at the Mills, he was employed in constructing looms 
and other machinery. He will long be remembered for his 
sterling integrity and faithful devotion to duty. After his death 
there were but two male descendants of Philip Watson Challis 
in town bearing the family name. 

The " Salisbury Mills Co." was organized this year, the whole 
property of the former company being purchased by the new 
company for $225,000. Work was again resumed and con- 
tinued prosperous through the war, the stock ranking very high 
in the market. 

A post-office was established at South Amesbury in February 
and Mr. Ebenezer Fullington appointed postmaster. 

1858. 

Rev. Calvin Damon was this year settled as pastor of the 
Universalist society at West Amesbury. 

Rev. A. C. Childs was dismissed from the pastorate of the 
Congregational chnrch and society at the Mills August nth. 

Rev. D. G. Estes was elected rector of St. James church and 
retained till 1872. 

On the 27th of February, Robert Patten, Esq., died, aged 
eighty-one years and four months. He was born at South 
Amesbury October 28th, 1776, when the great struggle of Inde- 



372 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



pendence was progressing. About 1807, he bought the original 
homestead of John Hoyt, sen., of one of his descendants and 
removed to the Mills, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
He was frequently called into town business, holding the office 
of selectman nine years and was three times elected represent- 
ative to the General Court. In 1841 he was elected county 
commissioner for three years and he served the town in various 
capacities during his long life. His principal business was 
farming and brick making, which he pursued for more than half 
a century. For many years he furnished all supplies in that line, 
there being no other brick-yard in this section of the town. 
No doubt this is the oldest yard in town, and was first used by 
John Hoyt, sen., and, in fact, the remains of an ancient yard 
was to be seen when Mr. Patten removed there, so ancient that 
the "oldest inhabitant" knew nothing about it. 

The well-known physician, Israel Balch, died at the Ferry this 
year, aged sixty-nine years, ten months. He was born in Tops- 
field, Mass., in 1788. When a lad of thirteen he went to Salem 
to live with Capt. Benjamin Hodges. He there showed a 
decided taste for study and was encouraged to prosecute his 
studies. He recited in Latin to Rev. Dr. Bently during his 
three years' stay. Returning home at the end of that time, he 
continued his studies, although receiving but little help from 
his parents. While preparing for college, he recited to Rev. Mr. 
Huntington, but unfortunately neglected navigation, possibly from 
his inability to buy " Bowdich on Navigation," and was obliged 
to supply the deficiency by his mechanical genius. He set 
himself about manufacturing various small articles, which he sold 
for enough to purchase the desired book. Having completed 
his preparatory studies, he entered Dartmouth college in 1807 
and graduated in 181 1. He studied medicine three years with 
Dr. French, teaching school a portion of the time in various 
places. About 1820 he commenced the practice of medicine 
in town and soon became known as a faithful physician and 
eminent surgeon. 

His great mechanical genius specially fitted him for the 
department of surgery. In the amputation of limbs he was very 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 373 

successful and gained a wide reputation. Many of his surgical 
instruments were of his own invention, and he received four 
patents on that account. He occasionally lectured on electric- 
ity, chemistry and galvanism, as well as other subjects. 

At one period he devoted his spare moments to clock mak- 
ing. One of them was of singular construction, noting the year, 
months, weeks, days and hours, and, also, the phases of the 
moon and changes of the tides. The venerable "Master Walsh" 
(who taught private pupils for many years) purchased one of 
his noted clocks. 

His practice extended over a period of nearly forty years. His 
house, now occupied by his daughter, was, probably, built by 
Gideon Lowell at an early date. 

M. D. F. Steere, Esq., was this year appointed agent of the 
Salisbury mills. 

1859. 

An attempt was made to establish a high school in town, but 
without success, the matter being indefinitely postponed. 

A piece of new road was laid out near Patten's creek, which 
rendered the old bridge and road useless, and it was subse- 
quently discontinued. 

The school districts were again defined by order of the town. 

At the November meeting the high school question again 
came before the town, and was referred to the selectmen to 
establish such school if deemed proper. 

The Congregational church at West Amesbury was this year 
sold and removed, to be fitted for a public hall, and a new 
house built, larger and more costly. It is a very fine, tasty 
building. 

1860. 

Appropriations : Schools, $2500 ; Poor, etc., $4000 ; High- 
ways, $1000. 

The town established a high school this year and ordered it 
to be kept ten months, five months at each end of the town. 
The first term was kept at the Academy and the west end 
alternated between the River and Corner. 

In January, Elbridge G. Colby, Esq., resigned his seat in the 



374 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

legislature and Orlando S. Baley was chosen to fill the vacancy. 

A new street was located east of the Congregational church 
at West Amesbury and accepted. 

Rev. T. D. P. Stone was installed pastor over the Congre- 
gational church and society at the Mills October ist. 

There were several cases of small-pox at West Amesbury this 
spring, three of which proved fatal, viz. : Mr. Ezra B. Clark 
and Elizabeth M. Clark, his daughter, and Mrs. Rhoda Nichols, 
wife of Hon. William Nichols. At the Ferry, Mrs. Dolly Hoyt, 
wife of Thomas Hoyt, formerly of Pond Hills, died of the same 
disorder. 

Jan. 1 2th. The new church built last year at West Amesbury 
was this day dedicated with appropriate services. 

The population of the town, by the census taken this year, 
is three thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, an increase 
of seven hundred and thirty-four in ten years. The number of 
houses is six hundred and twenty-seven, and of families seven 
hundred and forty-eight. 

1861. 

Open rebellion against the authority of the United States in 
the South was now causing great excitement and alarm, especially 
as a call for seventy-five thousand volunteers had been made by 
the President to restore peace and enforce the laws of the 
country. 

A town meeting was called April 27th to take measures to 
raise volunteers to meet the call, and the patriotism and sense 
of the meeting was very fully expressed by the following pre- 
amble and resolutions offered by William C. Binney, Esq., and 
unanimously adopted by the meeting : — 

"Whereas the constitutional government of our beloved country 
is in danger of being overthrown by the assaults of armed trai- 
tors who, having solemnly sworn fealty and allegiance to that 
glorious Constitution, formed by the wisdom of our fathers, and 
having entered into a solemn compact with all the people of 
the United States 'in order to form a more perfect union, 
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the 
common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 375 

blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity,' without 
any legal or justifiable cause, have attempted to annul that 
solemn compact and transfer their allegiance to a Confederacy 
of Southern traitors. And, whereas, the President of the United 
States has, by proclamation, commanded those engaged in this 
unholy insurrection to submit themselves to the constitutional 
authorities within a limited time, now almost expired, and has, 
also, called upon the governors of those states which still remain 
true to the Constitution and the Union, to furnish aid and 
assistance to put down this wicked and unnatural rebellion. 

And, whereas, the governor of the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts, which now, as ever heretofore, has been foremost to 
rally in defense of constitutional liberty and to shed the precious 
blood of her noble sons upon the field of battle in support 
thereof, has called upon all those of her patriotic citizens dis- 
posed to offer their services as part of the volunteer militia of 
Massachusetts to respond to any requisition of the President in 
this national crisis. 

Therefore be it resolved by the citizens of the town of Ames- 
bury in legal town meeting assembled, that we pledge our 
united aid and assistance to our beloved Commonwealth and to 
his Execellency the Governor to the utmost extent of our abil- 
ity, both men and money, to enable him to respond promptly 
and efficiently to the present or any future requisition of the 
Government of the United States to put down rebellion against 
its authority and to enforce the laws of the land. 

Resolved, that we hereby vote to raise or hire, as the select- 
men think most expedient, a sum not exceeding five thousand 
dollars, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen 
or a committee specially chosen therefor, for the purpose of 
equipping, uniforming or assisting such of the inhabitants of 
this town as shall enlist and be accepted and enrolled as part 
of the volunteer militia of this Commonwealth, and for the 
support and maintenance of their families during the time they 
are called into active service by command of the governor 
thereof." 

The following order was adopted unanimously : — 

"Ordered That the town pay $10 per month over and above 



376 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

the Government emoluments, to every single man and $20 to 
every married man that joins the Militia, and that the Select- 
men be authorized to advance one month's pay as soon as a 
company is organized and commences to drill." 

The greatest enthusiasm prevailed and the proceedings were 
harmonious, evincing a most commendable spirit of patriotism. 
The people were fully awakened from their dream of peace by 
the bombardment and capture of Fort Sumpter on the 12 th of 
x\pril and the call of the President on the 14th for seventy-five 
thousand volunteers. The Sixth Massachusetts regiment was 
attacked while passing through Baltimore on the 19th and three 
soldiers killed and eight wounded. 

Under the excitement caused by such startling events, volun- 
teers were forth-coming, and already a company had been formed, 
which marched to the meeting in fine style under the command 
of Capt. Joseph W. Sargent. After pretty thorough drill the 
company was mustered into service July 5 th and attached to 
the Fourteenth regiment. 

Dr. Benjamin Atkinson, of West Amesbury, died October 2 2d. 
He was a graduate of Bowdoin college, Brunswick, Maine, 
where he commenced the study of medicine, which he after- 
wards completed at Newburyport with his brother Dr. John 
Atkinson. He commenced the practice of medicine in town 
about 1830, and by his gentlemanly bearing and good success 
soon gained the confidence of the public. For many years his 
field of labor embraced the entire surrounding country west of 
the parish line for several miles. His labors were such as to 
"wear him out" before old age had firmly set its seal upon him. 

1862. 

The sum of $15 was voted to fence the family burying ground 
near Peter Colby's. 

July 19th. A call having been made for soldiers, a meeting 
was held and the following vote passed : — 

"Resolved that the town pay each volunteer who may enlist 
in the service of the United States to serve for the term of 
three years if not sooner discharged, the sum of one hundred 
dollars in addition to the bounty offered by Government to be 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 377 

paid to them when duly sworn into said service, provided the 
number shall not exceed forty-one." 

The selectmen were instructed to procure the men as soon as 
possible and were authorized to hire the needed money. The 
bounty, however, proved insufficient, and a meeting was held 
August 14th, when an addition of $200 was made to the bounty 
of the three years' men. 

In the mean time a call for nine months' men had been 
made, and it became necessary to provide some bounty to pro- 
cure the men to fill this call. The bounty was fixed at $150 
and the selectmen were authorized to hire the money to pay 
this bounty. Under this offer a large number joined the Forty- 
Eighth regiment, commanded by Col. E. F. Stone of Newbury- 
port, and served near New Orleans. 

Dec. 4th. Two boys were drowned while skating on Patten's 
pond. One was a son of Mr. William Foot, aged nine years, 
and the other a son of Mrs. Schofield, aged ten years. 

On the 1 8th of September it was voted to extend the bounty 
to as many more in addition to the forty- two men in camp as 
might enlist, to be reckoned on the next call. There was no 
lack of determination to supply all the men needed for the 
suppression of this monster rebellion. 

The commissioners having issued an order for the re-building 
of Powow River bridge, a town meeting was held October 13th 
and the selectmen ordered to act with Salisbury in carrying on 
the work. 

July 30th. Rev. T. D. P. Stone was dismissed from the 
pastorate of the Congregational church and society at the Mills, 
and November 2d Rev. George E. Freeman was engaged. 

The brisk demand for woolen goods induced the Salisbury 
mills to extend their works by removing the old Nail Factory 
and Rolling Mill and erecting the large mill now known as 
No. 8. The mill was dedicated by a soldiers' levee, which 
called out a very large assemblage, nearly filling its spacious 
rooms. This was, probably, the largest entertainment ever held 
in town. 

Jonathan Morrill, Esq., died June 29th, aged seventy-two 



37$ HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

years. He was a descendant of Abraham Morrill, who built the 
first corn mill" on the Powow, and, like most of the family, was 
a blacksmith by trade, being formerly connected with the Iron 
Works at the Mills. In the war of 1812 he sailed as master- 
at-arms in the privateer Decatur, which his father (Jonathan 
Morrill, Esq.,) built at the Mills landing. This fine little vessel was 
fitted out at Newburyport with fourteen guns, and put in charge 
of Capt. William Nichols, and did good service against the 
enemy. He was in several . sharp engagements and assisted in 
taking many valuable prizes. 

He was, also, interested in the factory built in 18 13 by 
"Ensign Morrill and his two sons" on Mill street. About 1825 
he became a resident of Amesbury, locating on the Bailey farm, 
and residing there till the house was burnt in 1843. He was 
chosen representative in 1833 and again in 1835, an d served 
on the board of selectmen several years. For many years he 
was engaged in fishing at the Shoals and at the eastward. He 
was a firm, unwavering Democrat, believing and practicing the 
doctrine he professed, but no politician in the modern sense of 
that word. 

1863. 

April 6th. A town meeting was held to take into considera- 
tion the propriety of issuing town bonds to secure the large 
town debt. The meeting decided to issue bonds to the amount 
of $20,000 at five per cent, interest, payable semi-annually, and 
redeemable at any time after five years, and payable in twenty. 

Many of the prominent citizens at the Mills felt the necessity 
of greater facilities for extinguishing, fires, and accordingly peti- 
tioned the town to set off school district No. 2 ( Mills ) into a 
fire district. The petition was not granted, and the citizens 
proceeded according to law to organize such district and to 
take such precautionary measures as were deemed necessary. 

The almshouse at the Lion's Mouth, not being large enough 
to conveniently accommodate the town paupers, was enlargad 
by the addition of a large wing. 

June 29th. A meeting was held in answer to Abner L. Bai- 
ley's petition, asking the town to sell to the Amesbury Hat 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 379 

Company the landing at the Ferry. The meeting voted to sell 
as petitioned for. * 

Dec. 14th. A meeting was called to devise some measures 
for raising the town's proportion of three hundred thousand men 
called for by the Government. It was voted to advance money 
to recruits, and a committee was chosen to assist the selectmen 
in procuring them. 

On the 15th of June the Mills school district held a meeting 
and appropriated $3500 to purchase a lot and build a new 
school-house, and the present high school building was soon 
after built. 

Rev. P. S. Eaton died March 13th at Chelsea. He was 
formerly pastor of the Second church in Amesbury. 

S. S. Tuckwell, Patten Sargent, Willis P. Sargent and James 
Whittier obtained leave from the legislature to build a wharf at 
South Amesbury, to extend into the river a distance "not 
exceeding one hundred and fifteen feet from high water mark," 
and to collect wharfage and dockage. This was a move in the 
right direction. 

Thus far during the war, manufacturing business has been 
remarkably good, the profits being very large. Under this con- 
dition of things a company was formed for the manufacture of 
woolen goods and organized by the choice of Elbridge G. 
Colby, Robert Fowler, O. S. Patten, N. M. Horton and Joseph 
N. Clark as directors. E. G. Colby was chosen president and 
L. F. Burrill agent. This company commenced immediately to 
build the mill now known as " The Hollow Mill." It was com- 
pleted during the winter and went into operation soon after, 
running eight sets of woolen machinery, which were driven by 
an engine of one hundred horse power. 

The death of Lowell Bagley, Esq., occurred February 26th. 
He lived at the Ferry and was widely known for his ability as 
a justice and conveyancer, which, with settling estates, constituted 
his principal business. He held the office of selectman five 
years and served as representative to the General Court two 
years. 

Early this year a company was organized under the title of 



380 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Amesbury Hat Company for the manufacture of wool hats. The 
company purchased the town landing and, also, the estate on 
the corner next Powow River bridge, and erected a large fac- 
tory on the wharf for this purpose. Previous to going into 
operation, the company was consolidated with the Merrimac 
company, becoming part and parcel of the same. 

1864. 

At the annual meeting it was decided to purchase two hearses 
for the use of the town. Additional by-laws for the protection 
of sidewalks, etc., were, also, passed. 

April 1 8th. A meeting was held to authorize the selectmen 
to hire money to pay recruits, who might be called for previ- 
ous to March 1862, at the rate of $125 each, and they were 
so authorized. It had become very difficult to fill the repeated 
calls of the Government and a draft was ordered, being the 
last resort to sustain the Union army. It was regarded with 
fear and alarm and carried dismay into many families. The 
following is the list of persons drafted from Amesbury : — 
Charles Lehman, Alvah B. Currier, 

Luther G. Thompson, Thomas S. Tuson, 

Edwin H. Merrill, Samuel C. Pease, 

Moses P. Huntington, Thomas W. Colby, 

Charles Paul, Enoch Hoyt, 

James W. Briggs, Otis Sargent, 

Joseph C: Colby, Richard F. Briggs, 

Joseph Merrill, jr., Franklin R. Page, 

John W. Dennett, Winthrop A. Collins, 

William Brown, Laburton W. Colby, 

John F. Merrill, Edwin Dawson, 

Ephraim A. Goodwin, Mark T. Currier, 

Ichabod S. Bartlett, Andrew J. Heath, 

George W. Osgood, John F. Tozier, 

Page Ring, James S. Barry, 

John Foster, Miles C. M. Place, 

Littlefield Winn, Thomas A. Cushing, 

Charles A. Burlingame, George N. Bird, 

Bailey Sargent, Alexander M. Huntington, 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



38l 



Alfred M. Goodwin, 
Moses C. Flanders, 
George T. Davis, 
James Foot, 
Joseph H. Boncher, 
Daniel M. Curtis, 
Stephen H. Morse, 
Dennis Smith, 
John S. Hays, 
Samuel H. Collins, 
Morton B. Merrill, 
Horace S. Bailey, 
Charles T. Lewis, 
Gayton M. Tukesbury, 
Charles Emery, 
Frank I. Snell, 
Charles A. Stevens, 
Charles W. Morrill, 
James E. Tuckwell, 
Patrick Freeman, 
French Ordway, 
Patrick Nealton, 
Daniel Follansbee, 
Asa F. Pattee, 
Albert Coombs, 



John Mungin, 
Thomas Cobb, 
Moses W. Sargent, 
Moses N. Huntington, 
James W. Prescott, 
John Hundling, 
William Brown, 
John S. Clement, 
Wallace Colby, 
George W. Daniel, 
Christopher Bowman, 
Alexander Churchill, 
Benjamin F. Huntington, 
Benjamin D. Kendrick, 
James B. Morse, 
Francis A. Sargent, 
Josiah D. Little, 
Joseph W. Gale, 
Isaac B. Little, 
Hezekiah Perry, 
Elbridge C. Sawyer, 
James D. Pike, 
John F. Langmaid, 
Charles H. Noyes, 
Laban M. Bailey. 



Of the above eighty-eight, a selection of fifty-nine able-bodied 
men was to be made. 

May 25th. A town meeting was held to take measures to 
fill the town's quota on the next call. A committee, consisting 
of Joseph W. Sargent and John O. Currier, was chosen to 
assist the selectmen in enlisting recruits. 

A tract of land purchased for a cemetery at West Amesbury 
being found unfit for that purpose, it was voted to sell it and 
purchase land of Jonathan B. Sargent adjoining the old cemetery. 

Nov. 8th. Presidential election occurred, but not a large vote. 

The selectmen were ordered to continue the recruiting ser- 
vice and $10,000 were appropriated for that purpose. 



382 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Abner L. Bailey was authorized by the legislature to continue 
his wharf at the Ferry and extend the same easterly on the 
Merrimac and Powow rivers to low water mark, and to lay ves- 
sels at its head and receive wharfage. 

An effort was made this year to unite the towns of Amesbury 
and Salisbury. An act was obtained from the legislature for 
that purpose, authorizing the union under the name of Merri- 
mac. , But, as the act required the consent of both towns at a 
meeting held for that purpose, the project failed. Both towns 
decided against the union. This was the second attempt to 
alter the limits of these towns. 

A charter was obtained for the construction of a horse rail- 
road from Newburyport to Amesbury with a capital of $120,000, 
to be divided into shares of $100 each, and the road was sub- 
sequently built and has proved a profitable investment. 

The Horton Hat Company was organized this year by Mr. 
Alfred Bailey and others, and commenced the manufacture of 
hats in Mr. Bailey's building at the Ferry, which was fitted for 
that purpose. 

A national bank was this year organized at West Amesbury 
with a capital of $50,000, which has since been increased to 
$200,000. The directors were Patten Sargent, Thomas T. Mer- 
rill, John S. Poyen, Benjamin F. Sargent, William Gunnison. 
President, Patten Sargent; cashier, William H. Haskell. 

1865. 

Two roads were accepted as laid out by the selectmen at 
West Amesbury, extending from the Landing road to School 
street. 

Aug. 2d. A town meeting was held for the purpose of pur- 
chasing hose for the engines, and the selectmen were instructed 
to purchase one thousand feet. 

By-laws prohibiting fast driving were adopted, with a fine of 
$20 attached, and were approved by the superior court. 

The Great Rebellion closed in the early part of the year and 
the soldiers, who had so nobly fought, "came marching home" 
crowned with victory and honor. But in the hour of triumph 
there was sadness, for some came not again and many hearts 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 383 

now realized their great loss. Amesbury furnished about four hun- 
dred men. As near as we can ascertain, her officers were one col^ 
onel, one major, four captains, seven lieutenants and one ser- 
geant-major. At the draft in 1863, sixteen hired substitutes and 
eleven paid $300 each as commutation money. From the 
record it appears that twenty died of sickness, seven were 
killed, thirteen wounded and six were confined in Andersonville 
prison. Two of these died from the effects of their long impris- 
onment and starvation after reaching home. 

A Catholic church was built at the Mills this year on the 
site now occupied by the present large brick structure. 

Rev. E. A. Rand was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church and society at the Mills March 2d. 

1866. 

The four grammar schools were raised to the grade of high 
schools and the committee were instructed to hire teachers 
qualified for teaching the required branches. This was the first 
permanent establishment of the high school system in town, 
which has since proved of great value. 

An addition was made to the East burying ground, which was 
properly laid out in lots to be disposed of as needed. 

July 6th. A meeting was held for the purpose of authorizing 
the selectmen to purchase fifteen hundred feet of hose for the 
four engines, and to make an appropriation for the sufferers by 
the great Portland fire. The selectmen were authorized to pur- 
chase the needed hose, and $1,000 were appropriated for the 
poor who suffered in that terrible conflagration, which destroyed 
nearly half of the city of Portland, Maine. 

Aug. 26th. The Catholic church was this day dedicated. 

The Horton Hat Company sold out to the Merrimac Hat 
Company July 18th and the two companies were consolidated. 

1867. 

Greenwood street, as laid out by the selectmen, was accepted 
by the town. Several nice houses had already been built here 
and the locality bids fair to become one of the best portions 
of the town. 

At the fall election, seven hundred and thirty-one votes were 
cast, being the largest number ever cast in town. 



3$4 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Rev. Leander Thompson, of the West Amesbury Congrega- 
tional church, was dismissed May 2d. 

Rev. E. A. Rand was dismissed from the pastorate of the 
Congregational church and society at the Mills May 3d, and 
Rev. W. F. Bacon was ordained September 26th. 

April 5th. A Baptist church was this day organized at West 
Amesbury. 

Rev. John Brady was assigned to the pastorate of the Catho- 
lic church the present May. 

Cyrus Blaisdell, son of James Blaisdell, jr., at the Ferry, was 
found dead on the morning of June 15th on the hill north of 
Pleasant Valley. He went out gunning the day before, and, 
getting over the wall, his gun was accidently discharged, killing 
him instantly, it was thought. 

1868. 

At a meeting held June 30th, Aubin street was accepted as 
a public highway. Also, a part of the landing at the Ferry 
was sold to the Merrimac Hat Company. The selectmen were, 
also, ordered to sell the town's wood land in the West parish 
and to purchase a pasture for the town's use. A large tract of 
pasture and wood land was accordingly purchased of Page Ring, 
lying near the house of Moses Flanders in Southampton, N. H. 
It was a wise exchange. 

The town being unable to purchase land to enlarge the East 
End cemetery, directed the selectmen to petition the commis- 
sioners to lay out the lot owned by Patrick Spillane as a cem- 
etery, which was accordingly done. At the same time the 
road near Samuel Bolser's was widened and straightened and, 
also, at the Pond Hills, near John Blackstock's at Gill's corner. 

This year will long be remembered for the act of the Legis- 
lature ordering the bridges to be made free, like all public 
highways. But to do this a large expense must be incurred, to 
be .borne by the adjoining towns and the county. Amesbury 
objected to being burdened with this tax, as no one of these 
bridges touched her territory. 

A town meeting was held August 18th, when it was decided 
not to pay any costs arising on this account, but to employ 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 385 

counsel in defence of the views of the town. At an adjourned 
meeting the town firmly refused to raise money to pay her por- 
tion of the cost of the bridges, according to court order. 

Rev. Lewis Gregory was ordained pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church at West Amesbury October 15 th. 

Rev. W. H. Kling was installed pastor of the Baptist church 
and society at West Amesbury in July of this year. 

The River district decided to build a new school-house this 
year and the sum of $5,000 was raised for that purpose. A lot 
was purchased adjoining the old school premises, and the pres- 
ent commodious Grammar School building was erected. 

Hon. William Nichols died at West Amesbury November 
30th. Mr. Nichols was by trade a plater and pursued that 
calling for many years, until becoming the owner of considerable 
valuable land, when he nearly abandoned the business. He 
was for many years a justice of the peace, writing deeds, wills 
and other legal papers, and frequently surveying land and roads. 
In 1 83 1 he was elected state senator, and afterwards served on 
the board of selectmen ten years. He was frequently elected 
moderator of town meetings and served on many important 
committees. His homestead was purchased of David Moulton 
and was known as the " Moulton house." Many years ago he 
purchased the "Merrill" orchard, then the largest in town. He 
was • a man of large executive ability and highly esteemed. 

The West Amesbury Branch R. R. was incorporated May 8th, 
with a capital of $114,000. This road was intended to connect 
with the Boston and Maine railroad at some point on that road. 

1869. 

The legislature, by act of March 24th, summarily abolished 
the school districts in the state, and it became necessary to call 
a town meeting to take measures for appraising all school prop- 
erty in the districts, the amount of which the town must pay 
for. This being done, the town assumed control and it came 
under the supervision of the school committee. 

School accommodations at West Amesbury were insufficient 
for the large number of scholars there, and a town meeting 
was held May 24th to take some action toward enlarging the 

49 



386 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

old house or building a new one. It was decided to enlarge 
the old house by a large addition in front, and the sura of 
$8,000 was appropriated to carry the vote into effect. The 
house was completed and accepted by the town, and is a very 
fine building. 

The project of a railroad from the Mills to West Amesbury 
was pretty freely discussed at this time and a petition pre- 
sented to the legislature by William C. Binney and others, asking 
for a charter, which was readily granted. The act authorized 
the town to subscribe for stock to the amount of two per cent, 
on the town valuation. 

Oct. 13th. A meeting was held to see if the town would 
thus subscribe, but the measure was defeated by a vote of two 
hundred and fifty-nine yeas to two hundred and seventy nays. 

Josiah B. Gale, William C. Binney and others petitioned the 
legislature to be incorporated under the title of "Amesbury and 
Salisbury Academy Incorporation," with power to hold real 
estate to the amount of $10,000. The ancient academy and 
beautiful lot on which it was built needed some legal protection 
to prevent its being appropriated to private uses. Already the 
premises had been plowed and planted under assumed title and 
some of the heirs of the original owners thought it time to move 
in the matter. Under the act of incorporation now obtained, 
the proprietors organized and have continued to hold annual 
meetings. 

Rev. William F. Potter was this year settled as pastor of the 
Universalist society at West Amesbury. 

July 13th. The corner stone of the new Baptist church was 
this day laid by the society organized in 1867 at West Amesbury. 

The present post-office building was built this year by the 
Salisbury Mills Company and, also, the block of stores occu- 
pied by J. F. Johnson and others at the Mills. 

Mr. Jacob R. Huntington's carriage factory in Lincoln court 
was burned April 23d. Mr. Huntington commenced building 
his large factory in Salisbury the following May. 

1870. 

Appropriations : Schools, $6,600 ; highways, $2,500 ; poor 
and town charges, $7,000 ; interest on debt, $3,000. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



387 



The number of scholars at the Ferry having largely increased, 
it was found necessary to provide additional accommodations and 
the town appropriated $8,000 to be expended under the direc- 
tion of the school committee and selectmen in building a new 
house. A lot was purchased near the late James Blaisdell's, and 
the present convenient and substantial house built during the 
year. The expense was about $7,000, including furniture. 





■ : : !l ■ 




- ;;:i .-| v. T^ 



FERRY SCHOOL-HOUSE. 



The cattle disease made its appearance in the Commonwealth, 
spreading alarm among the fanners on account of its fatality. 
At the November meeting precautionary measures were taken 
to prevent its introduction into town. 



388 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Jan. 12th. The new Baptist church at West Amesbury was 
this day dedicated with appropriate services. It is located on 
Church street and is a very neat and tasty structure. 

May nth. The old house of Capt. John Currier, which was, 
probably, built by his father, David Currier, about 1720 at the 
Pond Hills, was this day torn down to give place to a modern 
structure. It was an oaken frame. 

This year the old store occupied by J. W. Briggs, Esq., and 
formerly by Babson and Stacy, at the Mills, was removed and 
the present brick block erected by the Salisbury Mills Company 
on the site. 

The death of Abner L. Bailey, Esq., at the Ferry, on the 
15th of September, was a loss not only to his family and friends, 
but to the public. Mr. Bailey was born at the Ferry very near 
the spot where he died, and was a descendant of John Bailey, 
1 st, whose location will be found on the map of the town as 
laid out at East Salisbury in 1639. By trade he was a mason 
and for a while followed that occupation, but, about 1853, he 
commenced the experiment of manufacturing hats, which event- 
ually proved a success. Subsequently the Merrimac Hat Com- 
pany was organized and large additions made to the factory at 
the Point, which enabled the company to enter largely into the 
business. Before his death Mr. Bailey had built up an exten- 
sive business, which kept three mills busy in filling the com- 
pany's orders, and afforded employment to a large number of 
workmen. 

At one period Mr. Bailey became somewhat noted for his 
abolition principles and was in 1844 a candidate for Congress 
from this district. He was energetic and persevering, and objects 
which would have discouraged most men were but small hin- 
drances to him. He was not forgetful of the poor, but always 
ready to aid them. As a financier he was eminently successful, 
the stock of the company ranking very high in the market. He 
was strongly attached to the Union Evangelical church at the 
Point and gave it a liberal support. 

On the 4th of February a most destructive fire occurred at 
West Amesbury. The wheel factory of Foster and Howe, with 




AS£^>/, ^^v^yL^yU 




TkeSeiiaiyptPn/ihnoaMTmmyntsaioston. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 389 

the adjoining buildings, were burned to the ground, together 
with wheels and carriage parts in all stages of manufacture, and 
a large lot of seasoned lumber. A large amount of valuable 
machinery was, also, destroyed. The total damage was estimated 
at $28,000. The fire was accidental. 

.1871. 

The newly located roads around Sargent's square at West 
Amesbury were accepted by the town and, also, Pleasant street 
at the Mills. 

The town voted to purchase two thousand and fifty feet of 
hose for the four engines in town. 

The subject of organizing a fire district at West Amesbury 
was laid before the town and rejected, which gave the proposed 
district the right to organize, which was accordingly done. 

Rev. N. R. Wright was settled as pastor of the Universalist 
society at West Amesbury. 

Rev. Pliny S. Boyd was installed pastor over the Congrega- 
tional church and society at the Mills December 27th. 

Rev. W. H. Kling was dismissed from the pastorate of the 
Baptist church and society at West Amesbury January 1st. 

June 2d. The stable of Mr. C. W. Little was entirely con- 
sumed by fire set by boys in the hay loft. The contents were 
mostly saved. Several members of the Agile Engine Company 
were badly hurt by falling timbers. 

July 20th. Sometime during the night there was a slight 
shock of an earthquake, which is thus described by one who 
heard it: "It came as a heavy rumbling noise, which shook the 
windows and made things rattle for a short time. It awoke me 
out of a sound sleep and was quite heavy." 

Rev. Benjamin Sawyer, pastor of the Rocky Hill church at 
Salisbury, died March 26th. He was born in Boothbay, Maine, 
September 2 2d, 1782, and pursued his studies there preparatory 
to entering Dartmouth college, from which he graduated in 
1808. He studied theology with Rev. Abijah Wines, of New- 
port, N. H., and was ordained at Cape Elizabeth, where he 
continued in the ministry till 18 14, when he came to Amesbury 
as a candidate at the First church and continued to supply till 



39° 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



1816, when he was installed pastor. His labors were continued 
at Sandy Hill till 1835, wnen he resigned. The new Congre- 
gational church at the Mills drew largely on this ancient soci- 
ety, and, in connection with that at the Point, was the principal 
means of destroying it. He removed to Layman, Maine, where 
he preached five months, when he returned and was engaged 
at Rocky Hill, where he labored faithfully during the last thirty 
years of his life. In his fiftieth anniversary sermon, May 5th, 
1859, he stated that all the members who officiated at his set- 
tlement were dead, except one, and that all the members of the 
First church in Amesbury were, also, dead. During his labors 
in Amesbury and Salisbury he attended eleven hundred funerals 
and officiated at fourteen hundred marriages. 

He represented Salisbury in the legislature in 1844 and 1845 
and served on the school board there twenty-one years and sev- 
eral years in Amesbury. Although in his eighty-ninth year at 
his death, his hair was hardly specked with gray and his mem- 
ory and reason he retained to the last. His eye sight was 
remarkably good, so that he used no glasses for several of his 
last years, either in the desk or elsewhere. He was a faithful 
laborer in his Master's vineyard. 

West Amesbury organized a fire district the present year, 
including the Corner village. 

Capt. Thomas Bailey died at the Ferry May 30th, aged eighty- 
two years. He was a native of Deering, N. H., and settled in 
town about 18 10. In early life he taught school in town and 
at a later period, was engaged largely in building vessels at the 
Ferry. He served on the board of selectmen nine years and 
was elected representative in 1828. 

1872. 

By a recent act, towns were authorized to choose road com- 
missioners to take the place of highway surveyors and to exer- 
cise all the powers of selectmen and surveyors. The town 
adopted the act and chose Nathan Huse, David A. Moulton 
and Charles A. Nayson as commissioners. It was an experi- 
ment and an unsuccessful one, and short lived, lasting but one year. 

A code of truant by-laws for the regulation of school matters 
was adopted in May and duly approved by the court. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



39 1 



At the presidential election in November there were four 
hundred and seventy-five Republican and one hundred and 
ninety-five Democratic votes cast. 

An appropriation of $200 was made to paint the Merrimac 
Engine house. 

Rev. E. M. Bartlett was installed pastor of the Baptist church 
and society at West Amesbury in October of this year. 

Rev. Samuel S. Spear was elected rector of St. James church 
and retained till 1877. 

The Salisbury Mills Company commenced building a dam late 
in the season last year and completed the work this year. It 
is a massive dam, substantially built, and will not be likely to 
wash away soon. It is situated a little below the Joppa dam, 
crossing the Powow river at the base of Powow hill, and is of 
sufficient height to flow back to the state line, making a pond 
of some three hundred acres, known as lake " Gardner." The 
erection of this dam affords the company an opportunity to 
build one or more mills, which if built would greatly advance 
the price of real estate in that section. A long period of pros- 
perous business had enabled the company to lay by a large 
surplus, some $60,000 of which was expended in the erection 
of this dam and expense of flowage. 

Lake Gardner in the summer season is a beautiful sheet of 
water and a place of very general resort. It is well stocked 
with fish of various kinds. 

The Merrimac Opera hall at the Mills was built this year by 
Messrs. Kelley and Woods at an expense of $19,242. It is very 
generally used for lectures and exhibitions, and is of sufficient 
capacity to hold a very large assembly. Town meetings are, also, 
held in it and it supplies a want not before provided for. 

1873. 

The interior of the Congregational church at the Mills was 
greatly improved this year by new walls, frescoing and reseating. 
The exterior was, also, repaired and the whole expense was 
about $7,000. 

The history of this house is not without interest at the pres- 
ent time. It was built by the Unitarians, some of whom had 
been holding meetings in the Academy and, probably, some 



39 2 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



time in the year 1826, as the subscription paper bears date 
"March 29th 1826." Rev. David Damon was engaged to preach 
and was retained about two years, when the society, finding 
itself hardly able to support preaching, sold out to a new Con- 
gregational society, which had been holding meetings in Frank- 
lin hall. Some of those previously worshipping here remained 
with the new society, and among the number was James Hor- 
ton, Esq., who became a very valuable member. The house 
was originally mueh smaller than at present. The spire was 
added in 1840, the bell in 1842, and in 1849 ^ was greatly 
enlarged, since which time the exterior has undergone but little 
change. 




CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 393 

May nth. The Amesbury and Salisbury Christian Society 
organized a church under the charge of Rev. George T. Ridlon, 
and D. L. Bartlett and Stephen Dickens were chosen deacons. 
The society holds meetings in Merrimac Opera hall. 

The small-pox again made its appearance in town and sev- 
eral cases proved fatal. 

The road commissioners were discharged and the highway 
districts re-established, one year's trial having satisfied the town 
that the measure was expensive and but poorly calculated to 
promote its interests. 

A street at West Amesbury, leading from George W. Currier's 
to Mrs. Little's, was accepted as a public highway. 

May 15 th. On petition of the school committee a meeting 
was held to provide additional school accommodations at the 
Mills. The selectmen and school committee were authorized 
to purchase a lot and build a house suitable to the wants of 
the schools, and the sum of $6,000 was appropriated for that 
purpose. An eligible lot was accordingly purchased on Friend 
street and the present convenient house built at a cost of about 
$5,000, including furniture. 

The town being called upon to assist in building the "Ames- 
bury Rail Road," voted to do so in a sum not exceeding 
$50,000, but the road has not been built. 

Nov. 3d. This evening at thirty minutes past nine o'clock, 
the Town house was discovered on fire and beyond the power 
of those who first saw it to extinguish. Several engines were 
soon on the ground, but the advanced state of the flames and 
the scant supply of water rendered the efforts of the firemen of 
little account. In a few minutes nothing was left to mark the 
spot but the ashes and black remains of timber. 

The West Amesbury Axle Company having suspended opera- 
tion, the machinery and stock on hand was sold October 25th. 
This branch was started many years ago by Jonathan B. Sar- 
gent, Esq., and subsequently a company was formed and pros- 
ecuted a large and profitable business. 

The horse railroad from Newburyport to Amesbury, chartered 
in 1864, was completed the present year. 

5° 



394 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

November 4th was the annual election, and the destruction 
of the Town house the night before left the town without a 
place to hold the meeting, but the people were notified to 
assemble on the ruins, which they did, and adjourned to the 
house of Joseph Merrill, the clerk, and there completed the 
election in due form. The fire was the work of an incendiary, 
without doubt, but no clue has been found to lead to detection. 

The Representative district was composed of Amesbury, Salis- 
bury and West Newbury at this time, with the right to choose 
two representatives. At the annual election but one was chosen, 
and it became necessary to hold a second meeting on the 
24th of November for the choice of a second representative. 
The meeting was again held at the town clerk's house. 

Rev. W. D. Corkin was engaged as pastor of the Universalist 
society at West Amesbury. 

The foundation of the new Catholic church was laid and the 
work commenced this year. 

1874. 

Dr. Thomas Sparhawk died at Newburyport May 17th. A 
short time before his death he removed from town against the 
wishes of his numerous friends, who were unwilling to lose his 
valuable services. After his removal, his generous nature would 
not permit him to turn away from the numerous calls here, and 
he continued his practice over town till stricken with par- 
alysis while riding through the Pond Hills. When suffering 
humanity called for his services he could never refuse, and not 
only his professional services, but his purse and whatever he 
might have was freely given to the needy. He was emphatically 
the poor man's doctor and ever at their service. But he was 
popular with the rich as well as the poor, his long and success- 
full practice having endeared him to all. A monument has 
been erected over his grave in Amesbury by his friends, and 
very properly inscribed "To the memory of our beloved Phy- 
sician." 

An appropriation of $500 was this year made by the town 
for the erection of a Soldiers' monument. The monument was 
procured and placed in a central position in the cemetery with 
appropriate dedicatory services. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 395 

1875. 

For reference, the entire appropriations for the year are 
given, it being the last one which the town was destined to 
enjoy, as originally incorporated :— 

Appropriations: Schools, $11,000; poor, etc., $3,000; town 
debt, $5,000 ; interest, $4,500 ; repairing Mills high school 
house, $500; incidental expenses, $1,000; state and county 
taxes and discount, $10,000 ; fire companies and sewers, $4,000. 
Total, $39,000. 

On the nth of October Rev. Lewis Gregory was dismissed 
from the pastorate of the Congregational church and society at 
West Amesbury, where he was called to labor in 1868. 

1876. 

The most noted event of the year was the division of the 
town by the legislature. The act received the approval of the 
governor April nth. For two hundred and ten years the town 
had maintained its corporate existence with no material change 
of territory, although several attempts had been made to change 
its boundaries. The present dividing line was drawn from the 
mouth of "Pressey's Creek to the most northerly point of land 
on the southerly side of Kimball's Pond and thence north-west- 
erly to a point on the line dividing Amesbury and Newton, N. 
EL, 2.050 ft. west from the monument on the State line near 
Arthur Robertshaws." This act reduced the territory of the 
old town about one-half, or to three miles square. Strong 
opposition to this measure was felt by the old town, and meas- 
ures taken to defeat the scheme, but without success, as the 
event shows. 

The annual election had been postponed from March 6th to 
April 1 7th, when the following appropriations were made, viz. : 
Schools, $6,200; highways, $1,800; poor and town charges, 
$2,500; town debt, $1,000; interest on debt, $3,500; town 
officers, $550; incidental expenses, $800; state and county taxes, 
$4,550; fire companies, $1,500, making a total of $22,400 for 
town expenditures. 

During the summer the Salisbury mills stopped operations, 
which threw hundreds of persons out of employment, causing a 



396 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

general stagnation of the ordinary branches of business. The 
farmers' market, the grocers' business and most trades were 
greatly depressed, and the outlook was of a gloomy shade. 

1877. 

The general depression of business was felt severely in town 
this year. The ordinary business was at a stand and help could 
be obtained at less than living prices, and many were unable 
to find employment at any price. The carriage business, how- 
ever, was a fortunate exception to the general stagnation, con- 
tinuing active through the whole period of depression. 

On the 17th of May Mr. E. M. Huntington, a native of 
Amesbury, but for many years a resident of Philadelphia, died 
at his home at the Pond Hills. For many years he had charge 
of the Friends' Institute, at ■ Philadelphia, and was a successful 
teacher. He will be remembered as a teacher in this town and 
vicinity, previous to his long services there. He was sixty years 
of age. 

1878. 

During the latter part of 1877, the Merrimac Hat Company 
commenced laying the foundation of a new mill on the river 
road at the small stream where Goodwin's mill once stood. 

The old mill at Salisbury Point, where A. L. Bailey, Esq., 
commenced business many years ago, had become unfit for the 
present wants of the company and it was decided to build on 
this stream, which is supplied in part by large springs on the 
north side of Bailey's pond. The building was completed in 
the early part of the year and dedicated March 21st by hold- 
ing a fair for the benefit of the Old Ladies' Home. It was 
largely attended and the net proceeds were about $1,000. The 
mill is built of brick and is a most substantial building. Every- 
thing about it is well arranged, and its neat, tidy appearance 
adds greatly to the beauty of the locality. The value of prop- 
erty in this vicinity has greatly increased since its erection and 
already several houses have been built in that section. 

In May the Salisbury mills were sold to John Gardner and 
others for $160,000, but the change of hands was of no benefit to 
the operatives, for they were still allowed to stand idle. These 
were now designated "Essex Mills." 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 397 

Aug. 9th. A fearful hail storm passed over the Pond Hills 
and northern part of Merrimac, doing great damage to the crops. 
It swept over Mr. Mason's hill, nearly ruining all the corn and 
other vegetables. Apples were so bruised as to be unfit for 
market, and dents that were made on buildings and fences may 
yet be seen. 

Mr. E. H. Rowell, a graduate of the Amesbury high school, 
graduated from Dartmouth college June 26th. 

1879. 

Two of the graduates of the Amesbury high school, viz. : 
Herbert W. and Willard P. Boyd, entered Oberlin college in 
September, passing the prescribed examination without condi- 
tions. This fact speaks well for the reputation of the school. 
The above were sons of Rev. P. S. Boyd and aged seventeen 
and sixteen years respectively. 

Dr. Henry S. Dearborn died August 25th, aged sixty-six 
years. He was a botanical physician, and by his skill and 
attention to his profession acquired an extensive practice, not 
only here but in adjoining towns. He was born at Wakefield, 
N. H., and came from Maine to Amesbury about thirty years 
ago, where he practiced medicine some time previous to his 
removal here. 

1880. 

Rev. Nathaniel Lasell died at his residence on Walnut hill 
February 4th. 

On the 20th of March two small boys, Harry and Willie 
Babb, sons of Thomas R. Babb, were drowned in Bailey's pond 
within a few feet of the road at the Merrimac Hat Factory. 
They were playing on the rotten ice and fell through. 

Jonathan Nayson, Esq., died April 23d. Mr. Nayson was 
born in Weare, N. H., but early in life removed with his father 
to this town and served as an apprentice in a drug store. 
This business he afterwards pursued for nearly half a century. 
He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and in that notable campaign 
of Gayton P. Osgood against Caleb Cushing he did good ser- 
vice for his party. He and his brother-in-law, John Caldwell, 
started a paper called the "Amesbury Chronicle," which was spec- 



398 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

ially devoted to the election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency 
and Mr. Osgood to Congress. He soon retired from the edi- 
torial department of that paper and took the stump for his 
party. In 1836 he was elected to the legislature, being but 
twenty-seven years of age and the youngest member of the 
House. In 1852 he was again elected, and by his devotion to 
the interests of the laboring classes gained the hearty approval 
of his fellow citizens, who subsequently elected him to the constitu- 
tional convention, of which he became a prominent member. 
He was twice called to the chair and was, also, placed on 
important committees. 

Under Pierce's administration he was appointed weigher and 
gauger in the Boston custom house and served in that capacity 
till the close of Buchanan's term of office. He served a short 
time as assessor of internal revenue in this district and, also, on 
the board of selectmen several years. To those too poor to 
employ a lawyer, he frequently volunteered his services and 
was well posted in legal affairs. He, also, held the office of 
postmaster under Van Buren's administration. 

On the 3d of May Dr. Thomas McAllister died at the age 
of thirty-two years. He was born in Londonderry, N. H., 
where he attended the common schools until entering the Derry 
academy, where he qualified himself for his medical studies at 
Bowdoin college, Maine, from which he graduated in 1872. 
Soon after that date he commenced to practice in this town 
and his strict devotion to his professional duties gained for him 
a large share of public patronage. 

At the close of the year the business prospects of the town 
have very much improved and few people are idle from necessity. 

On the 1 6th of last March the Essex mills, including the 
entire property, were sold for $300,000 to the Hamilton Com- 
pany. This event was hailed with joy by all, as being the 
forerunner of more prosperous times. Nor was the public dis- 
appointed, for a large number of hands were at once set to 
work making thorough repairs and getting ready as fast as pos- 
sible to commence operations. Under the careful and skillful 
management of M. D. F. Steere, Esq., who for more than 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



399 



twenty years has been in charge, we may reasonably look for- 
ward to a long period of prosperous times. 

Carriage manufacturers generally are enlarging their business 
and making preparations to turn out more work the coming 
season than ever before. Amesbury will, no doubt, soon become 
what it was ten years ago : a busy, thriving town with some- 
thing for all to do. 



GENERAL MATTERS. 



AMESBURY AND SALISBURY NEWSPAPER. 

The first paper was the "Amesbury Chronicle," published 
every Thursday morning by Nayson and Caldwell. The first 
number was printed January 28th, 1832, at $2.00 per year. It 
was a six-column page paper and advocated the election of 
Gayton P. Osgood to represent District No. 3 in Congress. 
June 6th, 1833, Mr. Nayson dissolved his connection with the 
paper and Mr. John Caldwell continued its publication under 
the title of the "Evening Chronicle," and was neutral in poli- 
tics. In 1834 the paper changed again to the "Morning 
Courier," J. Caldwell, editor and proprietor, and was cut down 
to a five-column page paper. November 23d, 1837, the name 
was changed to " News and Courier," C. E. Patten, editor, 
and John Caldwell and T. J. Whittem, publishers, being pub- 
lished simultaneously at Portsmouth, N. H., and Amesbury, so 
continuing until January 4th, 1838. In 1839 Mr. Caldwell 
again resumed full control of the paper and changed its name 
to the "Evening Transcript," continuing its publication up to 
near 1840, when he sold out to Robert Rich. Mr. Rich pub- 
lished a few numbers and sold his interest to Mr. Joseph M. 
Pettengill, who took control in February, 1840. September, 25th, 
1840, the paper changed to "Village Transcript." 

Mr. Pettengill retained the management of the paper up to 
1845, w hen he formed a partnership with J. E. Hood and the 
paper was changed to the "Essex Transcript" and made the 
organ of the old Liberty party in Essex county. Mr. Hood 
withdrew from the editorial chair after a few months and G. J. 
L. Colby was announced as the editor, but after a few months 
he left. In 1848 Mr. Pettengill sold the paper to Daniel F. 
Morrill, now of Vineland, N. J., who continued the Transcript 
for one year and changed its name to "Villager." He pub- 
lished six numbers and, failing to secure due support, stopped 
its publication. 51 



402 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

The present publisher, then a printer in the office, was urged 
by the citizens to continue its publication, but declined at first, 
then finally consented to try the experiment. Commencing 
May 24th, 1849, he has continued as editor and publisher up 
to the present time, a period of thirty-two years. The paper, 
it may be said, has had a continuous existence, under its various 
titles, of forty-nine years. 

In the intervening years several attempts to start competing 
journals have been made, but all have failed. The first of 
these was the "Essex Mirror," by Page and Gilman in 1839. 
It had a brief existence of four weeks. About this time the 
same parties started a little daily sheet, which found a compet- 
itor in "The Sheep's Foot," and "Reservoir of Science." Mr. 
Currier, of The Villager, also published a daily paper for four 
weeks, which failed of support. 

POST-OFFICE. 

Amesbury had no post-office till about 1820, the nearest 
office being at Salisbury Point. This was in the time of mail 
stages, and the one running from Newburyport to Portsmouth, 
N. H., came through the Point and over Rocky hill to the 
Mills, and all mail matter belonging there was taken from the 
Salisbury office by this stage and left at Clark Maxfield's store, 
where the Powow National Bank building now stands. Mr. Seth 
Clark was for many years postmaster at the Point, which, at 
that time, was a place of extensive business. About 1820 an 
office was established at the Mills and Capt. Jonathan Morrill 
was appointed postmaster. A writer in the Villager some years 
ago said : "We remember well the advent of the first mail 
into our village. The mail-carrier, a mere youth, mounted on 
horseback, with saddle bags stuffed full of letters and papers, 
drove up the yard of Capt. Morrill's, (now enclosed in the 
grounds of Mr. Steere's residence,) dismounted and poured the 
same on the floor of the old-fashioned kitchen. They were 
there sorted and then displayed in the window, the superscrip- 
tions facing the yard, into which people stepped to see if they 
had letters or papers. 

The only furniture of the office was an old, pine desk, 
unpainted and without partitions, in which the entire contents 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 403 

of the establishment were safely kept." Capt. Morrill's son, 
Nathaniel, succeeded him and established a more respect- 
able office in the basement of the next building • and he, also, 
farther improved the service by causing the mail to be brought 
from the Point in a two-wheel chaise, which he kept for that 
purpose. The salary of the office at this time, including bring- 
ing the mail from the Point, was about $50 per annum. 

About the year 1836 Jacob Carter was appointed postmaster, 
and he removed the office to the northerly end of Wadleigh's 
block, where it remained during the last of Jackson's adminis- 
tration. President Van Buren appointed Philip Osgood as Mr. 
Carter's successor, and he removed the office to a small build- 
ing on the corner of Main and Friend streets, which had form- 
erly been used as a counting room by the Rolling Mill and 
Nail Factory Company. Near the close of Van Buren's admin- 
istration, Mr. Osgood resigned and Jonathan Nayson was appointed 
postmaster, he removing the office to a room built on to the 
factory at the bridge, opposite its present location. When Har- 
rison was president, John Walsh was appointed postmaster and 
the office was removed to a building standing where No. 7 mill 
now stands. After the accession of John Tyler to the presi- 
dency, Daniel Blaisdell was appointed postmaster, and he removed 
the office to the small building on the corner of Friend street 
again. 

David Bagley was appointed postmaster by President Pierce 
in 1853 and retained the office until Lincoln's election, when 
David Batchelder was appointed and held the office through 
Johnson's administration. He removed the office to the store 
of David French, opposite the hotel. In 1869 W. H. B. Cur- 
rier was appointed postmaster and the office was soon after 
removed to its present location. On the 15th day of March 
1870, the mails were brought to town by the cars for the first 
time. J. T. Clarkson was appointed postmaster in 1873 an d 
re-appointed in 1877 by President Hayes. 



4°4 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



STATISTICS OF THE CARRIAGE BUSINESS IN AMESBURY AND 
SALISBURY MILLS FOR l88o. 



Names. 



R. F. Briggs & Co., 
James Hume, 
Foster Gale, 
A. M. Huntington, 
E. S. Felch, 
William W. Smart, 
A. M. Parry, 
T. W. Lane, 

D. E. Gale & Co., 
A. P. Boardman, 

E. S. Lane, 
Seth Clark, jr., 
Charles Rowell & Son, 
George W. Osgood, 
John Hume, 

C. A. Burlingame. 
C. N. Dennett, 
George J. Hunt, 
Samuel Rowell, 

F. D. Parry, 
Locke & Jewell, 
William G. Ellis, 
Charles E. Stone, 



, 200,000 
170,000 
38,000 
45,000 
80,000 
45,000 
50,000 
30,000 
15,000 
45,000 
23,000 
80,000 
40,000 
65,000 
50,000 
15,000 
50,000 
20,000 
46,576 
50,000 

63,000 
20,000 



1800 
1200 
450 
500 
500 
420 
450 
420 
140 
500 
325 
660 
400 
*475 
500 
150 
300 
220 
620 
817 
600 
600 
200 



e s 



125 

52 
20 
19 
45 
26 
25 
20 
15 
21 
16 
' 30 
25 
25 
30 
15 
25 
16 
32 
25 

23 
15 



1856 
1859 
1868 
1867 
1859 
1877 
1875 
1874 
1878 
1867 
1869 
1860 
1873 
1870 
1S69 
1871 
1873 
1876 
1870 
1859 

1867 
1875 



The wheel factory of Locke & Jewell at Patten's Hollow 
was established in 1867 and is doing a large business in manu- 
facturing wheels and carriage parts, and have recently added to 
their other branches the manufacture of carriages. The whole 
amount of business for 1880 was $100,000, and the number of 
workmen employed was fifty-two. During the year they have 
manufactured six hundred carriages. 

Mr. William E. Biddle & Company, of Amesbury, commenced 
the manufacture of carriage parts at their planing mill in Salis- 
bury, and in 1880 the whole amount of their business was 

* Including one hundred and fifty sleighs. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 405 

$125,000. During the year, five thousand sets of carriage parts 
were completed, in addition to a large amount of other work, 
giving employment to sixty workmen. Their business was estab- 
lished in 1869. 

The Merrimac Hat Company at the Ferry are doing a large 
business and employ a large number of workmen. The capital 
stock is $ 1 00,000. The amount of business done in 1880 was 
$400,000. The number of hats made reached fifty-one thousand 
dozen. One hundred and eighty males and fifty females are 
employed. Operations were commenced in the new mill in 
1878. R. B. Hawley, agent. 

AMESBURY AND SALISBURY EXPRESS. 

In 1840 Mr. David Batchelder commenced this business by 
running a stage to Newburyport to connect with the Eastern 
railroad, and continued the line till the completion of the Salis- 
bury Branch railroad in 1848, when the express business was 
transferred to the cars and the stage line sold to Stephen H. 
Bagley. Mr. Batchelder continued in the business till 1859, when 
Joseph T. Merrill succeeded him. Mr. James H. Wells started 
an express in 1858 and continues on the route. There are 
now two express lines, viz.: "Wells'" and "Prevaux's." 

SALISBURY AND AMESBURY PROVIDENT INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS. 

The whole amount of deposits is $1,261,776.61. The num- 
ber of depositors is three thousand, seven hundred and fifty. 
The interest on hand amounts to $31,057.63. The guarantee 
fund is $28,776.65. Mr. Alfred C. Webster, treasurer. 

POWOW RIVER NATIONAL BANK. 

This bank was incorporated in 1836 with a capital of $100,000. 
It was changed to National May 1st, 1865. The total earnings 
since May 1st, 1865, amount to $220,235.27. Total dividends, 
$168,000; undivided profits, $62,175.92; loans, $277,907.34; 
deposits, $179,212.77. George F. Bayley is president and Albert 
B. Brown, cashier. 

AMESBURY AND SALISBURY MILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

The generous donation of some six hundred volumes by 
Joshua Aubin, Esq., for many years the agent of the Amesbury 



406 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

mills, laid the foundation for the library in 1856. This is not 
a free library, those taking books being required to pay one 
dollar per year for the privilege. 

It now numbers four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-one 
volumes, embracing a wide range of subjects. The officers 
for 1880 are J. W. Briggs, president; John Hume, vice presi- 
dent ; F. W. Merrill, secretary ; William Allen, treasurer ; C. M. 
Brown, Aaron Sawyer, J. H. Swett, G. W. Gate, J. A. Perkins, 
H. L. Kingsbury, executive committee ; Miss Fannie M. Bin- 
ney, librarian. The rooms are on Friend street. In connec- 
tion with the library is the collection of the Natural History 
Society. 

AMESBURY AND SALISBURY ACADEMY. 

This institution was organized in 1804 and incorporated in 
1869. Its fund amounts to $565.98. Its officers are president, 
Patten Sargent ; clerk and treasurer, James H. Davis ; trustees, 
O. S. Bailey, Joseph Merrill, J. N. Clark, D. S. Dearborn and 
David M. Tewksbury. 

SALISBURY AND AMESBURY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. 

The total amount of risks reaches $365,648. The amount of 
premium notes outstanding is $22,838. Officers: Joseph N. 
Clark, president; C. L. Allen, secretary and treasurer. 

E. P. WALLACE POST, NO. 12 2, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

This Post was established in 1869 and now numbers about 
fifty members. Officers : L. Frank Currier, commander ; Albert 
Morrill, senior commander ; Moses M. Dennett, junior com- 
mander ; John O. Currier, officer of the day ; Michael Moni- 
han, officer of the guard ; Henry P. Wells, quarter-master : 
Charles Cook, adjutant ; R. W. Wells, quarter-master-sergeant ; 
Enoch Morrill, sergeant-major; John A. Douglas, surgeon; J. W. 
Goodrich and E. Gowen, chaplains ; George Thurston, sentinel. 
Its funds amount to $259. 

The Post was named for Edward P. Wallace, a resident of 
Amesbury, who, although not physically able to endure the hard- 
ships of a soldier's life, devoted his whole influence to the 
cause. When the war broke out he immediately collected his 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 407 

money, which he had earned by hard labor, and freely gave it 
to the Government to help sustain the Union. His small gift 
of $100 was accepted by the treasurer at Washington, and, very 
unexpectedly, the first bond issued by the Government was for- 
warded to him. Mr. Wallace had the honor of holding bond 
No. 1. Through the war he was aiding and assisting by his 
whole influence the cause which was dear to him. 

REFORM CLUB. 

Officers for 1880 : Jason E. Cowden, president ; Daniel 
Worthen and Charles Cook, vice-presidents ; Mrs. George Col- 
lins, secretary ; John O. Currier, auditor ; Stephen Woodman, 
treasurer. The membership numbers one hundred, and Veteran 
hall is their place of meeting. 

OLD LADIES' HOME. 

This Home was organized December 31st, 1874. In 1878 
the Pickering estate at the Ferry was purchased for the purpose 
of erecting suitable building for a home. In 1878 a fair was 
held in the new Merrimac Hat Factory for the benefit of the 
Home, from which $1011.28 were realized. In 1879 a second 
fair was held for the benefit of the Home, in Mr. Biddle's new 
block, from which $1206.32 were realized. It may be proper 
to state that of the latter sum, five hundred dollars were donated 
by the following persons, viz. : Messrs. Seth Clark, Nathaniel 
Currier, J. G. Whittier, Stephen Woodman and Mrs. George W. 
Morrill, $100. each. Its present funds amount to $2159, and 
its officers are Stephen Woodman, president ; George F. Bagley, 
treasurer ; O. S. Baley, clerk. 

WARREN LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. 

This Lodge was chartered December nth, 1822, and now has 
a membership of one hundred and twenty-five. Henry F. Carey 
is the W. M., and their meetings are held in Union block. 

TRINITY CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS. 

This Chapter was organized in September 1870, and now has 
a membership of fifty-five. Their place of meeting is in Union 
block, and Morton B. Merrill is High Priest. 



408 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

POWOW RIVER LODGE OF ODD FELLOWS. 

This Lodge was organized August 23d, 1845. It has one 
hundred and . ninety- two members, and Odd Fellows hall, Friend 
street, is their place of meeting. George W. Currier is N. G.. 
and their funds amount to $9000. 

HARMONY ENCAMPMENT OF ODD FELLOWS, NO. 5 1. 

The Encampment was organized January 24th, 1877. There 
are forty-two members. 

KNIGHTS OF HONOR. 

This Lodge was organized June 28th, 1877. There is a 
membership of sixty-four and the meetings are held in Turner's 
hall. Joseph O. George is Dictator. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

This Lodge was organized October 23d, 1874, and has a 
membership of fifty-nine. Masonic hall is their place of meet- 
ing. Their funds amount to $393.28. Thomas M. Bush is C. C. 

ENDOWMENT RANK, SEC. 273. 

This Section was organized in April, 1879, and has a mem : 
bership of twenty-one, with a fund of $30. M. W. Philbrook 
is president. 

McHALE LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 

This Association has a membership of eighty and its funds 
amount to $200. 

WHITTIER TEMPLE OF HONOR. 

This Lodge was organized April 13th, 1866, and there is a 
membership of forty-six, with funds amounting to $250. G. W. 
Titus is W. C. T., and the meetings are held at Turner's hall. 

FIRE DISTRICT. 

This was organized April 21st, 1868. W. E. Biddle is chief 
engineer, Otis C. Hardy and George J. Hunt, assistants. The 
amount of assessments for 1880 was $1500. 

ATLANTIC HOSE COMPANY. 

E. P. Osgood, captain, with twenty members. Amount of 
hose, eleven hundred feet. Meetings are held at the engine 
house on Friend street. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 4O9 

M. D. F. STEERE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY. 

Andrew T. Crowther, captain, with twenty-five members. 
Meetings are held at the engine house on Friend street. 

MERRIMAC ENGINE COMPANY, NO. I. 

This company was organized in May, 1851. George F. Hunt- 
ington is captain, and there are twenty-nine members. The 
meetings are held in the engine house at the Ferry. 

AMESBURY AND SALISBURY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

This Society was organized in 1856 and is now in a flour- 
ishing condition, having a fund of more than one thousand dol- 
lars and a valuable library. A petition has been presented to 
the legislature for an act of incorporation. President, J. Henry 
Hill ; treasurer, Aaron Sawyer. 

VETERAN ARTILLERY. 

A few years ago a company was organized, including several 
who had been members of the old artillery company, but the 
uniform adopted did not correspond with that of the latter 
company. The company usually holds an annual parade. 

The Amesbury and Salisbury Artillery Company was formed 
in 1794 and William Lurvey was the first captain. In 182 1 
John Colby, jr., was captain, serving till 1825, when the com- 
pany was under the command of Isaac Whittier, first lieutenant. 
In 1826, Zebedee Morrill was chosen captain and, probably, 
served till 1831, when James C. Currier was chosen, and held 
command till 1834, when Hiram Collins was chosen and was 
the last captain in command. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

There are five religious societies in town, viz. : Congrega- 
tional, Catholic, Free Baptist, Episcopal and Friends. There 
are, also, many Methodists in town, who attend the Methodist 
church on Pond street, Salisbury. At the Ferry, many attend 
the Union Evangelical church at Salisbury Point. Many Uni- 
versalists, also, attend the Salisbury church. Present pastors : 
Congregational, Rev. P. S. Boyd ; Catholic, Rev. John Brady ■ 

5 2 



4IO HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Free Baptist, Rev. J. D. Waldron ; Episcopal, Rev. Dr. Emery. 

Physicians in town : Drs. John A. Douglas, H. G. Leslie 
and Eli Jones. 

Dentists : Drs. Jared A. Perkins, Arthur T. Brown and J. E. 
Blake. 

Counsellor and attorney at law : Hon. George W. Cate. 

Trial justices : Orlando S. Baley and George W. Cate. 

Town clerk : N. E. Collins. 

Selectmen : Charles Rowell, John Gould and Hiram Foot. 

Treasurer and collector : James H. Davis.- 

School committee : Joseph Merrill, H. G. Leslie and George 
W. Cate. 

High School teacher : William D. Mackintosh. 

soldiers' record. 

Benjamin C. Atkinson, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment : was 
promoted to first-lieutenant in Company C, May 28th, 1862, 
and to captain, October 8th, 1864. Bounty, $60. 

Webster Allen, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. He was son 
of Jonathan Allen and born in Amesbury. Bounty, $60. 

John Ashworth, enlisted March 7th, 1862, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Residence 
unknown. 

James McAvoy, enlisted in the Twenty- Eighth Massachusetts 
regiment. 

George Austin, enlisted December 30th, 1864, for one year. 
Bounty, $125. 

Benjamin Baxter, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty $30. 

Richard S. Bailey, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
#60. Re-enlisted November 30th, 1863, for three years in Com- 
pany E, First Massachusetts regiment. 

George Brown, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 411 

Re-enlisted November 25th, 1863, in Company E, First Massa- 
chusetts regiment. 

Winfield S. Blanchard, enlisted March 7th, 1862, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth regiment. 

Henry F. Badger, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ■ died of 
fever February 2d, 1862, at Fort Albany. 

John Brown, enlisted November 26th, 1861, for three years 
in Company B, Eleventh regiment; badly wounded July 2d, 
1863, at Gettysburg, by a bullet through the top of the lung; 
discharged December 3d, 1863, for disability. 

Thomas S. Bradley, enlisted December 2d, 1861, for three 
years in Company A, Nineteenth Massachusetts regiment ; 
wounded before Richmond and discharged March 12th, 1863. 

William Burgess enlisted in the Nineteenth Massachusetts 
regiment. 

John F. Bailey, enlisted October 27th, 1861, for three years 
in Company B, Second Massachusetts regiment ; discharged for 
disability December 5th, 1862. 

Robert J. Burnett, enlisted for three years in Company B, 
Fortieth Massachusetts regiment; killed in the battle of Fair 
Oaks, June 1st, 1862. 

Robert M. Boody, enlisted April 20th, 1861, for three years 
in Company B, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
corporal, April, 1862, to sergeant, October, 1862, to second- 
lieutenant, June, 1863, and to first-lieutenant, October, 1863. * 

James W. Bartlett, enlisted August 5th, 1862, for three years 
in Company A, Thirty- Fifth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to corporal ; was in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam and 
Fredericksburg; died June 6th, 1864, of wound received in 
battle. 

Oliver S. Bowley, enlisted July 25th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 
Re-enlisted December 28th, 1863, for three years in Company 
E, First Massachusetts regiment. 

William Bellele, enlisted July, 1862, for three years in Com- 
pany E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 



412 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Re-enlisted December 29th, 1863, for three years in First Mass- 
achusetts Heavy Artillery. 

Augustus S. Bailey, enlisted in 1862 for three years in Com- 
pany E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Benjamin Buswell, enlisted August 14th, 1862, in Company 
I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

John Bahan, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three years m 
Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
lieutenant. Bounty, $300. 

William S. Brock, enlisted August 18th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Masssachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

Michael Bahan, enlisted August 22d, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-eighth Massachusetts regiment ; was in 
battle of Port Hudson. Bounty, $150. 

George E. Blaisdell, enlisted August 6th, 1862, for three 
years in Company A, Thirty-Fifth Massachusetts regiment ; was 
in battles of South Mountain, Antietam, siege of Vicksburg, 
Knoxville and the last fight at Petersburg. 

Charles D. Blumley, enlisted for three years in Company E, 
Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

John H. Brown, enlisted August 24th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; died 
August 19th, 1863, at Centralia, Illinois, from sun stroke, while 
on his way home. Bounty, $150. 

Charles F. Burrill, enlisted in Company C, Forty-Eighth Mass- 
achusetts regiment for nine months. Bounty, $150. 

William Bahan, enlisted August, 1862, for nine months in the 
Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 

William A. Buswell, enlisted November 21st, for three 

years in Company M, Second Massachusetts regiment. 

George Bocock, enlisted October nth, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; bounty, 
$150; re-enlisted August nth, 1864, in Company E, First 
Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $125. 

James P. Blanchard, enlisted October 1st, 1862, for nine 
months in Company F, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. - 413 

Richard F. Briggs, enlisted July nth, 1863, for three years 
in Company B, Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

Benjamin Booth, enlisted December 8th, 1863, f° r three 
years in the Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

George F. Bailey, enlisted September 4th, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

James Blaisdell, jr., enlisted August 22d, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

Elbridge J. Batchelder, enlisted December 17th, 1863, f° r 
three years in Company M, Second Massachusetts regiment. 

Moses S. Bailey, enlisted in Company D, Fourth Massachu- 
setts regiment of Cavalry. 

Timothy J. Breene, enlisted August 14th, 1863, for three 
years in the Ninth Company, Third Massachusetts regiment ; 
was finally in Company E. 

Matthew Barry, enlisted August 7th, 1864, i n Company E, 
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $125. 

Nathaniel Brown, enlisted February 20th, 1864, in Fourteenth 
Massachusetts Light Artillery. 

Jeremiah Bartlett, enlisted in Second Company, First Massa- 
chusetts Heavy Artillery. 

Horace Brown, enlisted August 4th, 1863, f° r one y ear i n 
Company C, Second Massachusetts regiment. 

Charles H. Blake, enlisted January 4th, 1864, in Company 
D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

George Burlingame, enlisted in Cavalry, serving on Cana- 
dian frontier. Bounty, $125. 

Charles F. Bolser, enlisted December 31st, 1864, for one 
year; served on Canadian frontier. Bounty, $125. 

Lewis P. Caldwell, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to second-lieutenant May 28th, 1862, and to first-lieutenant 
July 26th, 1863, and transferred to Company F; died of wounds 
June 17th, 1864. Bounty, $30. 

George W. Clark, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30- 



414 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Charles W. Currier, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to corporal. Bounty, $30. 

William Crane, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
corporal. Bounty, $30. 

Augustus Cunningham, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$60. Re-enlisted November 30th, 1863, for three years in Com- 
pany E, First Massachusetts regiment. 

Warren Cowdry, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 

Andrew F. Chaples, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; pro- 
moted to corporal. 

Emmons B. Christian, enlisted, June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $30. 

Patrick O'Connell, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Edward Cartier, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 
Re-enlisted August 31st, 1864, in First Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $125. 

Anthony F. Coggen. Bounty, $125. 

James M. Colyer, died at Trinity Church Hospital, George- 
town, D. C, 1862. 

Charles H. Cammett, enlisted for three years in Company F, 
Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

John F. Carlton, enlisted in Company K, Seventeenth Mass- 
achusetts regiment; promoted to corporal. 

Charles Christially, enlisted in Company C, Twentieth Mass- 
achusetts regiment ; wounded at Balls Bluff and discharged after 
being seven months a prisoner at Richmond, Va., and Salisbury, 
N. C. 

George W. Christian, enlisted October 4th, 1861, for three 
years in Company D, Thirtieth Massachusetts regiment ; dis- 
charged for disability. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 41 5 

John F. Currier, enlisted for three years in Company B, For- 
tieth New York regiment ; killed in the battle of Fair Oaks 
June 1 st, 1862. 

Daniel M. Curtis, enlisted April, 1862, in Company B, For- 
tieth New York regiment ; promoted to orderly-sergeant ; was 
in battles of Fair Oaks, before Richmond and Antietam ; also> 
taken prisoner. 

William H. Currier, enlisted October 5th, 1858, for five years 
in Company F, Third Massachusetts regiment of the regular 
army. 

Jason E. Cowden, enlisted August 3d, 1861, for three years 
in Company H, Second Massachusetts regiment ; discharged for 
disability December 21st, 1861. Re-enlisted July 25th, 1862, 
for three years in Company E, Second Massachusetts regiment. 

Rodney H. Currier, enlisted August 5th, 1862, for three years 
in Company A, Thirty- Fifth Massachusetts regiment ; discharged 
for disability. 

Alanson St. Clair Currier, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; was in 
twenty battles, including those of Coal Harbor and before 
Richmond ; taken prisoner at the latter one. Bounty, $300. 

Franklin S. Clement, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 



John O. Currier enlisted August 18th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment; resigned 
and discharged March 10th, 1863. Bounty, $150. 

Randall B. Curtis enlisted in 1861, for three years in Com- 
pany D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Daniel W. Currier enlisted September 1st, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C. Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

Isaac Crowther, enlisted September 23d, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C. Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

Daniel O. Conner enlisted July 5th, 1862, for three years in 
Company K, Twenty-Third Massachusetts regiment. 

Daniel Cammett enlisted April 2 2d, 1861, for three years in 



41 6 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment; died August 
2, 1864. Bounty, $30. 

Leonard F. Currier enlisted December 5th, 1863, for three 
years in Company M, Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy 
Artillery. 

John O. Connor enlisted December 31st, 1863, for three years 
in Company D, Fourth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
orderly sergent • in Andersonville prison two months ; also in 
Florence. 

Otis S. Currier enlisted 1863, in New Hampshire. 

Enoch W. Colby enlisted December 2 2d, 1863, in Company 
L, Second Massachusetts regiment. 

John R. Chapman enlisted in Veteran Reserve Corps. 

Henry W. Crosby enlisted August 8th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 

John Connealey enlisted May 9th, 1864, in Second Massa- 
chusetts regiment. 

James Claflin enlisted in Nineteenth Massachusetts regiment 
of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $225. 

Warren Clough enlisted May, 1864, in Veteran Reserve Corps 
of Infantry. Bounty, $225. 

William P. Colby enlisted in the Seventeenth regiment ; served 
as chaplain; discharged November 2d, 1863. 

William L. Dorsett, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to sergeant; died at Annapolis, Md., December 8th, 1864, from 
the effects of starvation in a Confederate prison. Bounty, $30. 

Henry N. Dyke, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

John Doherty, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 

Terence Dorsey, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Albert F. Dewhurst, enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Fortieth 
New York regiment; died of fever at Alexandria August 27th, 
1862. 

John H. Dustin, enlisted August 5th, 1862, for three years 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 417 

in Company A, Thirty-Fifth Massachusetts regiment ; was in the 
battles of South Mountain and Fredericksburg. 

Jacob F. Dow, enlisted August 6th, 1862, for three years in 
Company A, Thirty-Fifth Massachusetts regiment ; died in the 
service. 

Daniel C. Davis, enlisted in 1862 for three years in Com- 
pany C, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 
Re-enlisted in Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. 

William Doland, enlisted for three years in the Thirty-Second 
Massachusetts regiment. 

James McDonald, enlisted August 23d, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; was in 
all the battles at Port Hudson. Bounty, $ 150. 

Edmund K. Dewhurst, enlisted September 24th. 1862, for 
nine months in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regi- 
ment. Bounty, $150. 

Edward Dorsey, corporal, enlisted for three years in Company 
K, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; wounded in the battle 
of Sharpsburg and died at Washington September 18th, 1862. 
Bounty, 30. 

Philip Dorsey, enlisted in 1862 for nine months in Company 
A, Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 

Timothy Donovan, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three years 
in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

Otis P. Danforth, enlisted in 1863, for three years in Com- 
pany A, Fourth Massachusetts regiment of Cavalry. 

John J. Dunn, enlisted August 17th, 1864, for one year in 
Company Twenty-Sixth, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Bounty, 
$125. 

De Witt Davis, enlisted in May, 1864, m Company Fifteenth, 
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $225. 

John M. Dearborn, enlisted in June, 186 1, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Albert N. Edwards, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; died at 
Fort Schuyler October 13th, 1863. Bounty, $300. 

Alpheus Elliott, enlisted November 25th, 1863, for three 

53 



4lS HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

years in Company M, Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy 
Artillery. 

Samuel A. Evans, enlisted in September, 1862, for nine 
months in the Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

Edwin Follansbee, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to corporal and then to sergeant. Bounty, $30. 

Ezekiel Fowler, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 

William P. Foster, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to corporal. Bounty, $30. 

George F. Foss, musician, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; bounty, 
$30. 

Mathew Fitzgerald, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; made arti- 
ficer in Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $30. 

Charles L. Flanders, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; taken pris- 
oner at Richmond and confined at Andersonville ; died. Bounty. 
$30. 

Jones Frankle, captain, enlisted in 1861 in the 17th Massa- 
chusetts regiment; promoted to major August 1st, 1861, and 
to colonel of Second regiment December 28th, 1863. 

Moses C. Flint, enlisted in 1861 for three years in Company 
I, Twenty-Second Massachusetts regiment ; was in the battles 
before Richmond. 

Israel Flint, enlisted for three years in Company K, Four- 
teenth Massachusetts regiment. 

James Foot, enlisted June, 1861, in Company B, Fortieth 
New York regiment. 

Marcus M. Fullington, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; bounty, 
$300. 

Joshua Follansbee, enlisted in 1862 for nine months in Com- 
pany C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURV. 419 

Frank Foot, enlisted April 220!, 1861, for three years in Com- 
pany D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Edwin Follansbee, enlisted December 10th, 1863, for three 
years in Company E, First Massachusetts regiment of Heavy 
Artillery. 

George Firth, enlisted August 25th, 1864, for one year in 
Company Sixteenth. Bounty, $125. 

Joseph H. Fish, enlisted in May, 1864, for three years. 

Samuel Felton, enlisted November 30th, 1864, for one year 
in Cavalry service on Canadian frontier. Bounty, $125. 

Frank D... Griswold, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

George W. Grant, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 

John B. Gray, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 
Re-enlisted November 2 2d, 1863. 

Isaac H. Gould, enlisted in October, 1861, for three years 
in Company A, 17th Massachusetts regiment; died June 29th, 
1862, of disease. 

Joshua Grant, enlisted in July, 1862, for three years in Com- 
pany E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Joseph W. Gray, enlisted for three years in Company I, 
Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

George F. Gowen, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three years 
in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; discharged 
March 29th, 1863, on account of wound. Bounty, $300. 

Thomas Gallagher, enlisted August 8th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

George A. Grant, enlisted September 4th, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

Robert T. Goodwin, enlisted August 18th, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

Alfred M. Goodwin, drafted in July, 1863, and joined Com- 
pany 1). Fifteenth Massachusetts regiment; was taken prisoner 



420 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

in front of Petersburg in 1864 and died in prison at Little Sal- 
isbury, N. C, September 1st, 1864. 

James A. Garland, enlisted in August, 1864, for one year in 
Company E, First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. 
Bounty,- #125. 

Nathaniel B. Giles, enlisted July, 1864, in the Veteran Reserve 
Infantry. 

Edwin L. George, enlisted August, 1862, in Company I, For- 
tieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

George S. Gorden, enlisted in 1862 for three years in Com- 
pany E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; died of dysentery 
August, 1863. Bounty $100. 

E. S. Gowen, enlisted October, 1862, for nine months in the 
Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

Elmer S. Harris, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

William M. Hamilton, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; pro- 
moted to second-lieutenant of the Second Massachusetts regi- 
ment of Heavy Artillery, August 14th, 1863. Bounty $30. 

John Hawksworth, enlisted June 24th, 186 1, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

John Handley, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 

John D. Huntington, enlisted November 26th, 186 1, for three 
years in Company E, Eleventh Massachusetts regiment. 

David W. Hoyt, enlisted in the Twenty-Second Massachu- 
setts regiment. 

Timothy Hessian, enlisted November, 1861, for three years 
in Company A, Twenty-Fourth Massachusetts regiment. 

John W. Hunt, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three years 
in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
corporal ; was in siege of Fort Wagner. Bounty, $300. 

Albion Hayford, enlisted August 20th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; was in 
battle of Plain Store. Bounty, $150. 

Y. G. Hurd, surgeon, enlisted December 8th, 1862, for nine 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 42 I 

months in the Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

James Hopkinson, enlisted December nth, 1863, f° r three 
years in the Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

Henry Haines, enlisted August 18th, 1864, for one year in 
Company Sixteenth, Fourth Massachusetts regiment of Heavy 
Artillery. Bounty, $125. 

William Hunt, enlisted August 19th, 1864, for one year in 
Company Twenty-Eighth, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Bounty, 
$125. 

Sylvanus M. Hall, enlisted in August, 1864, for one year in 
Company E, First Battalion of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $125. 

Thomas Hassan, enlisted in December, 1863, for three years 
in Company E, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment ; was in 
battles of Kingston and Batchelder's Creek. 

Christopher Hughes, enlisted May, 1864, in Company Fif- 
teenth, Massachusetts Unattached Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $22.5. 

Calvin P. Hinds, enlisted May, 1864, in the Veteran Reserve 
Corps. Bounty, $225. 

William Hopkinson, enlisted May, 1864, in the Nineteenth 
Massachusetts regiment. 

Ira Hunt, enlisted October 8th, 1863, in Company F, Sec- 
ond Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

Charles T. Hyde, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months in 
the Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

John Jenkins, enlisted in 1862 for three years in Company E, 
Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, #100. Re-enlisted 
February 29th, 1864, for three years in the First Massachusetts 
regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

Levi B. Johnson, enlisted in 1861 for eighteen months in 
Company K, Tenth Maine regiment. 

Frederick B. Kellogg, enlisted June 24th, 1S61, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Charles H. Kennett, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$30. Re-enlisted November 6th, 1863, in Company E, First 
Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 



422 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

William Kelley, enlisted March 7th, 1862, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Enoch M. Kendrick, enlisted November nth, 1861, for three 
years in Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment ; dis- 
charged for disability September 4th, 1862. 

Ebenezer F. Knox, enlisted July 25th, 1862, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$100. 

Thomas Kane, enlisted February 25th, 1864, in Company 
E, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Frank T. Kierman, enlisted May, 1864, m the Fourth Mass- 
achusetts regiment of Cavalry. 

George F. Little, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
sergeant. Bounty, $30. 

Timothy R. Leary, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Charles S. Lunt, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Peter Liberty, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Joseph Liberty, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $30. 

Benjamin F. Locke, enlisted July 4th, 1862, for three years' 
in Company E, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty. 
$100. Re-enlisted February 25th, 1864, in the same regiment. 

Samuel McLaughlin, enlisted August, 1862, for three years 
in Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to corporal. Bounty, $300. 

John A. Little, enlisted September 3d, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; was in 
all the battles at Port Hudson. Bounty, $150. 

Josiah D. Little, enlisted September 8th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; wounded 
in the hand at the battle of Plain Store. Bounty, $150. 

George Long, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months in 
Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 423 

George H. Lang, enlisted May 6th, 1S61, for three years in 
Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment ; discharged 
April 2d, 1863, for disability. Bounty, $60. 

James B. Lord, enlisted August 17th, 1864, for three years 
in First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, 
$125. 

Michael Lynch, enlisted May, 1864, in Second Massachusetts 
regiment of Cavalry. 

Henry N. Lowe, enlisted May, 1864, in Company Fifteenth, 
Third Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $225. 

George W. Littlefield, enlisted in the Fortieth Massachusetts 
regiment. Bounty, $300. 

Rufus Lothrop, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months in 
the Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

William F. Martins, first-lieutenant, enlisted June 24th, 1861, 
for three years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regi- 
ment ; promoted to captain of Company I ; taken prisoner at 
the battle of Winchester, Va., wounded severely, losing a leg ; 
discharged October 5th, 1864.. Bounty $60. 

John T. Merrill, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 

Henry McQuestion, enlisted June 24th, 186 1, for three years 
' in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; discharged 
in 1863 for disability. Bounty, $30. 

James McAvoy, enlisted in Company F, Twenty- Eighth Mass- 
achusetts regiment. 

Daniel Morrill, enlisted in 1862 for three years in Company 
E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

George O. Morrill, enlisted in 1862 for three years in Com- 
pany E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Leonard N. Morrill, enlisted July 30th, 1862, for three years 
in Company I, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty. 
Si 00. 

James Murphy, enlisted August 14, 1862, for three years in 
Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
corporal; wounded and discharged. Bounty, $100. 

Howard W. Merrill, enlisted 1864 in Capt. Twitchell's Com- 



424 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

pany, Seventh Maine Battery ; promoted to orderly sergeant ; 
died of fever before Richmond March 25th, 1865. 

John McNanie, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E. Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $60. 
Re-enlisted in November, 1863. 

Henry E. Marshall, enlisted in 1862, for three years in Com- 
pany E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Stephen G. Morse, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; died at 
Baton Rouge, July 8th, 1863. Bounty, #150. 

Richard McWilliams, enlisted August, 1863^ for one year in 
the Banks Guard. 

William McWilliams, enlisted in June, 1861, for three years 
in Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Enoch Morrill, enlisted December 1st, 1863, for three years 
in Company M, Second Massachusetts regiment. 

John S. Manley, enlisted in August, 1864, for one year in 
Company Twenty-Sixth, Fourth Massachusetts regiment of Heavy 
Artillery. Bounty, $125. 

Jacob C. Merrill, enlisted August, 1 684, for one year in Com- 
pany Twenty- Eighth, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Bounty, 
#125. 

E. Wingate Morse, enlisted December 2d, 1864, for one year 
in Company E, First Massachusetts Battalion of Cavalry. 
Bounty, $125. 

Gilman F. Morrill, enlisted in the Fourteenth Massachusetts 
regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Eben Norman, enlisted August 4th, 1862, for three years in 
Company C, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Francis W. Nichols, corporal, enlisted August 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$300. 

James O'Neil, sergeant, enlisted for three years in Twenty- 
Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 

Charles O. Nutter, enlisted September 5th, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 



425 



Charles E. Osgood, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to second-lieutenant ; wounded severely and discharged Febru- 
ary 14th, 1865. Bounty, $30. 

Allen Osgood, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; taken prisoner 
June 2 2d, 1864, and confined in Andersonville prison ten 
months. Bounty, $30. 

Joseph Oak, enlisted November 19th, 1S61, for three years 
in Massachusetts Cavalry; discharged December, 1862, for dis- 
ability. 

Moses M. Ordway, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to corporal, sergeant and sergeant-major. Bounty, $300. 

Edward P. Osgood, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

George W. Patten, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three years 
in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

John Page, enlisted September 8th, 1862, for nine months in 
Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

James W. Plunkett, enlisted September 9th, 1862, for nine 
months in Company Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. 
Bounty, $150. 

Dennison B. Page, enlisted July 14th, 1863, for three years 
in Company B, Second Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

Samuel M. Prescott, musician, enlisted August 16th, 1864, 
for three years. Bounty, $125. 

Elbridge A. Ring, corporal, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for 
three years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; 
promoted to sergeant. Bounty, $30. 

John S. Runnells, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to quarter-master-sergeant ; died of fever at Fort Whipple Sep- 
tember 1 8th, 1863. Bounty, $60. 

James Ross, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; taken prisoner 

54 



426 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

before Richmond and confined in Andersonville prison. Bounty, 
$36. 

William H. Rand, enlisted December 2d, 1861, for three 
years in Company B, Second Massachusetts regiment of Cav- 
alry ; discharged for disability December 5th, 1862. 

Jonathan Ring, enlisted August 14th, 1862,, for three years in 
Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

James Rowe, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months in 
Company C, Forty- Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

James Ryan, enlisted in the Fourteenth Massachusetts regi- 
ment. 

Richard Robinson, enlisted August 26th, 1864, for one year 
in Company Sixteenth, Third Massachusetts regiment : appointed 
musician. Bounty, $125. 

Nathan H. Russell, enlisted December, 1862, for nine months 
in Company A, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty. 
$150. 

Dennis Ryan, enlisted February, 1864, in the general service. 

Joseph W. Sargent, captain, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for 
three years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; 
this company was transferred to the First regiment of Heavy 
Artillery January 1st, 1862, by order of the War Department; 
resigned December 24th, 1863, by reason of ill health. 

Gustavus D. Sargent, sergeant, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for 
three years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment : 
taken prisoner at Petersburg June 2 2d, 1864, and confined in 
Andersonville prison eight months; exchanged April 2 2d, 1865. 
Bounty, $30. 

Alexander Smart, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted to 
second-lieutenant November 18th, 1862. Bounty, $30. 

Nathaniel J. Spofford, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three 
years in Company E. Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$ 3 o. 

Warren Spear, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment : discharged for 
disability. Bounty, $30. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 427 

David Sylvester, enlisted August 7th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Jesse M. Scott, enlisted June 24th, 1861, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment ; accidentally 
shot at Fort Albany the* same year. Bounty $30. 

Charles H. Sylvester, enlisted September, 1861, for three 
years in Company H, Twenty-Second Massachusetts regiment. 

Charles F. Sargent, enlisted July, 1862, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 

Moses Stevens, enlisted September 5th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$156. 

Bailey Sargent, enlisted July 6th, 1863, in Company C, Sec- 
ond Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

John Schofield, enlisted August 20th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

Charles M. Savage, enlisted December 4th, 1863, f° r three 
years in the Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

William J. Sanborn, enlisted November 24th, 1863, in the 
Second Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

Lyman S. Sargent, enlisted October, 1862, for nine months 
in Company A, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

William Smeath, musician, enlisted June 15th, 1861, for three 
years in the Second Massachusetts regiment ; discharged Octo- 
ber 6th, 1862. Bounty, $30. 

James Smith, enlisted in the Twenty-Sixth Massachusetts regi- 
ment. 

William A. Springer, enlisted in the Second Massachusetts 
regiment. 

William W. Smart, enlisted August 17th, 1864, for three years 
in the First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. Bounty. 
$125. 

John B. Smith, enlisted August, 1864, for one year in Com- 
pany E, First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. 
Bounty, $125. 



428 HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 

Frank I. Snell, enlisted August, 1864, for one year in Com- 
pany E, First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, 
$125. 

Charles E. Steere, enlisted August, 1864, for one year in 
Company E, First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy Artillery. 
Bounty, $125. 

George P. Severance, enlisted November 5th, 1863, for one 
year in the Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. 

Charles E. Skinner, enlisted August, 1864, in the Veteran 
Reserve Infantry. 

Charles H. Shaw, enlisted for one year in the Second Mass- 
achusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

George C. Stevens, enlisted for one year in the Second Mass- 
achusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

John Saunders, enlisted May, 1864, in the Veteran Reserve 
Corps. Bounty, $225. 

Benjamin A. Sargent, enlisted February, 1864, in Company 
F, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

George L. Smith, enlisted December, 30th, 1864, for one year 
in Company C, First Massachusetts Battalion of Cavalry. Bounty, 
$125. 

Eugene Sullivan, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months 
in the Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

William G. Thompson, orderly- sergeant, enlisted June 24th, 
1 86 1, for three years in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts 
regiment; June 18th, 1862, promoted to second-lieutenant; 
February 9th, 1S62, promoted to first-lieutenant; January 1st, 
1864, promoted to captain; died of wounds May 20th. 1864. 
Bounty, $60. 

Warren V. Tuxbury, enlisted August, 1862, for three years in 
Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $100. 
Re-enlisted December 29th, 1863, in the First Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillery. 

Rufus B. Tuxbury, enlisted April, 1861, for three years in 
Company B, Fortieth New York regiment ; was taken prisoner. 

Jonathan B. Tuxbury, enlisted August 2 2d, 1862, for nine 
months in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment: 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 429 

was in all the battles at Port Hudson. Bounty, $150. Re-en- 
listed in Company B, Head-Quarters Guard. 

John G. Tuxbury, enlisted September, 1862, for nine months 
in Company F, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment ; promoted 
to lieutenant December 29th, 1862. Bounty, $150. 

Ezekiel F. Tuxbury, corporal, enlisted October 3d, 1862, for 
nine months in Company F, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regi- 
ment ; was in the battle of Plain Store. Bounty, $150. 

John F. Tozier, drafted July 10th, 1863 ; was in Company 
K, Fifteenth Massachusetts regiment ; died. 

John C. Tucker, musician, enlisted October 31st, 1861, for 
three years in Company E, Fifth Massachusetts Battery ; wounded 
in the leg and discharged. 

George Taylor, musician, enlisted August 17th, 1864, for three 
years in Company E, First Massachusetts Battalion of Heavy 
Artillery. Bounty, $125. 

Edward Thayer, enlisted May 12th, 1864, in the Fourteenth 
Unattached regiment of Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $225. 

William Towle, enlisted May 30th, 1864, in the Fifteenth 
regiment of the Third Unattached Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $225. 

James Tobin, enlisted September 23d, 1862, for nine months 
in the Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $150. 

William Tetley, enlisted September 23d, 1862, for nine 
months in the Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. 

Joseph R. Thomas, enlisted July 6th, 1862, for three years 
in the First Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

William H. H. Prescott, enlisted July 29th, 1863, f° r three 
years in Company B, Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery : 
died at Newburn, N. C, January 26th, 1865. 

Charles Smith, enlisted January 26th, 1862, for three years 
in Company K, Second Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $325. 

David Scanlan, enlisted July 31, 1863, for three years in the 
Nineteenth Massachusetts regiment ; discharged for disability 
January 26th, 1865. 

Charles F. Underbill, enlisted August, 1862, for nine months 
in Company C, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
Sko. 



430 HISTORY OF AMESBURY, 

Samuel Usher, enlisted July, 1861, for three years in Com- 
pany D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Alfred Webendorfer, enlisted in the Twentieth Massachusetts 
regiment. 

Andrew J. Wadleigh, enlisted June, 1861, for three years in 
Company B, Fortieth New York regiment ; promoted to ser- 
geant. 

Walter Wyatt, enlisted April, 1861, for three years in Com- 
pany B, Fortieth New York regiment. 

William Wilson, enlisted June, 1861, for three years in Com- 
pany B, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; discharged Decem- 
ber 10th, 1862, for disability. 

Charles H. Wallace, enlisted July 23d, 1862, for three years 
in Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
Sioo. 

Lewis T. Whittier, enlisted for three years in the Fortieth 
Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, $300. 

Warren Whitcomb, enlisted August 14th, 1862, for three 
years in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts regiment ; died 
November 7th, 1862, of typhoid fever. Founty, $300. 

Thomas Welch, enlisted August 8th, 1862, for nine months 
in Company E, Forty-Eighth Massachusetts regiment. Bounty, 
$150. Re-enlisted November, 1863, in Company M, Second 
Massachusetts regiment of Heavy Artillery. 

Lysander Wyman, enlisted August 26th, 1S64, f° r one Y ear 
in Company Sixteenth, Unattached Heavy Artillery. Bounty. 
$125. 

James Warner, enlisted August 19th, 1864, for one year in 
the Unattached Heavy Artillery. Bounty, #125. 

William Wood, enlisted May 21st, 1864, in the Veteran 
Reserve Corps. Bounty, $225. 

Daniel Webster, enlisted May 18th, 1864, in Company Third, 
Unattached Heavy Artillery. Bounty, $225. 

John F. Waldron, enlisted May, 1864, in the Veteran Reserve 
Corps. 

Thomas B. Willey, enlisted September, 1861, for three years 
in Company H, Twenty-Second Massachusetts regiment. 



HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 43 1 

James Wicks, enlisted July, 1861, for three years in Com- 
pany D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment. 

Charles M. Winslow. enlisted July 6th, 1864, for three years 
in the Fifth Massachusetts Light Battery, but never joined. 

Lawrence Whitman, enlisted July, 21st, 1864, f° r three years 
in Company K, Second Massachusetts regiment of Cavalry. 
Bounty, $325. 

• Robert Woodbury, enlisted December 31st, 1S64, for one 
year in Company B, First Massachusetts Battalion. Bounty, $122. 

Charles F. York, enlisted March 6th, 1862, for three years 
in Company L. Fourteenth Massachusetts regiment. ( Entered 
Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts regiment, August, 1861, 
and discharged for disability October 2d, the same year.) 

George W. York, enlisted November 30th, 1864, "for one year 
in the Fifth Massachusetts Light Battery. 

The population of Amesbury by the census of 1880 is three 
thousand, three hundred and fifty-five. 





IhsmUntypeSrinUna G,2tl Tranent 'XBestm 



HISTORY 



OF 



MERRIMAC 



FROM ITS . INCORPORATION 



APRIL 10, 1876 



TO THE CLOSE OF 



1880. 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 

1876. 

One of the marked events in the history of Amesbury was 
the incorporation of a new town, embracing that portion of 
the old one commonly known as the West parish. Several 
attempts had previously been made to change the limits of the 
town, but without accomplishing the desired result. Generally 
the West parish had been unfavorable to any change, but within 
a few years various questions of much importance to this sec- 
tion had arisen, which had met with little favor at the east end 
of the town. One of the most prominent measures was the 
construction of a railway from the Mills through the western 
part of the town, and connecting with the Boston & Maine 
railroad. The town refused its credit to this measure, fearing 
to assume so heavy a responsibility in that direction. After the 
burning of the Town House, the meetings for town business 
were held alternately at the East and West ends of the town, 
which was somewhat inconvenient. These and other considera- 
tions, in connection with the very generous offer of William P. 
Sargent, Esq., of Boston, but a native of West Amesbury, to 
build the new town an elegant Town Hall, united the people 
in favor of a new town. 

A public meeting was held at Coliseum Hall January 18th, 
to consider the matter, which kindled much enthusiasm in its 
favor. A mass meeting was, also, held at South Amesbury on 
the 26th inst. for consultation with citizens there, which resulted 
in the determination to proceed without delay for the incorpor- 
ation of the new town of Merrimac. Immediate action was 
taken by the presentation to the legislature of petitions numer- 
ously signed. 

Strong opposition, however, was shown in the East parish, 
most of the citizens disapproving of any change in the limits of 
this ancient town. Wanting one month and thirteen days only 
of two hundred and ten years had the town remained intact, 
and the associations of more than two centuries had grown to 
be very strong upon the minds of many people. But the meas- 
ure was now in the hands of the legislative committee for inves- 



436 HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 

tigation. It was now found that the petitioners had failed to 
do what Amesbury did in 1666 when "Philip Challis was 
chosen to give the old town notice of our petition we send to 
General Court," and it became necessary to call a town meeting 
to see if the town would waive the notice. The result was four 
hundred and nineteen yeas to two hundred and ten nays. 

On the 2d of March a committee from the legislature visited 
the town to examine the locality and ascertain the necessity for 
a division. They were taken through the villages and shown 
the situation of the town. Their report was favorable, and 
April 10th the act incorporating the new town of Merrimac 
passed the legislature and was signed by the governor the next day. 

Thus, as by magic, sprang into existence a new town to be 
hereafter ranked among the numerous family of towns in this 
ancient Commonwealth. The event was -hailed with joy in the 
new town and general good feeling prevailed. 

The line of separation was : " Beginning at a point on the 
Merrimac river, at the middle of the mouth of Pressey's creek, 
( so called ) and thence running northerly in a straight line to 
the most northerly point of land on the southerly side of Kim- 
ball's pond, thence north-westerly in a straight line to a point on 
the town line dividing Amesbury and Newton, N. H., two 
thousand and fifty feet west from the monument on the state 
line dividing Massachusetts and New Hampshire, situated on a 
road leading from Newton, N. H., to Amesbury, and near the 
house of Arthur Robertshaw." This gave Merrimac a terri- 
tory not far from three miles square and a population of two 
thousand, one hundred and seventy-one by the last census. 

April 20th. A town meeting was held for the election of 
town officers, which resulted as follows : Town clerk, Bailey 
Sargent ; selectmen, William H. Haskell, S. S. Blodgett and 
Alexander Smart ; school committee, O. F. Seavey, C. N. Dins- 
more and W. H. Hubbard ; treasurer and collector, Bailey Sar- 
gent. Thus, in ten days after incorporation, the town was 
organized and in working order. 

The most suitable location for the Town Hall was found on 
the corner of Main and School streets, and the following gentle- 
men generously purchased the premises at an expense of about 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 437 

$5000, viz. : William H. Haskell, Esq., Deacon A. E. Good- 
win, John S. Poyen, Esq., William T. Sargent, Esq., William 
Gunnison, Esq v and Moses G. Clement, Esq., and presented 
the same to the town. The buildings were removed from the 
lot and preparations commenced for the foundations of the edifice. 

July 27th. The corner stone was laid by Right Worshipful 
Wyzeman Marshall, Acting Grand Master of the Massachusetts 
Grand Lodge, assisted by Worshipful F. E. Jones, Acting Grand 
Marshal, and Bethany Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of 
Merrimac. 

The first floor contains the public library, selectmen's office, 
post-office, periodical store, shoe store and the National Bank 
rooms. The entrance to the hall, very properly designated 
"Sargent's Hall," is through the large tower on the left, by a 
broad flight of stairs, which opens into it on the second floor. 
It is a well-furnished hall, capable of seating about six hundred 
persons. The tower is surmounted by a handsome 1 clock, the 
gift of Patten Sargent, Esq., of Merrimacport. Standing on an 
elevated spot, it is a very conspicuous object when entering the town. 

In less than four months this substantial and finely constructed 
building was completed and ready for occupation. On Mon- 
day afternoon, November 13th, the dedicatory services took 
place. James D. Pike, Esq., was appointed master of ceremo- 
nies and opened the exercises with appropriate remarks. Hon. 
George B. Loring, of Salem, delivered the address, which was 
listened to by a crowded assembly, and was one of this popu- 
lar orator's best efforts. Its length forbids its insertion here. 
The remarks of William P. Sargent, Esq., were very appropriate and 
worthy of remembrance by all. Remarks were, also, made ■ by 
Dr. James R. Nichols, Mr. Brastow, of the Governor's Council, 
J. W. Silloway, the architect, Rev. Albert Paine, Patten Sargent. 
Esq., and Mr. Wingate P. Sargent. Prof. Marshall read an orig- 
inal poem written for the occasion by Harriet Prescott Spofford. 

A social entertainment was given in the evening, which was 
made interesting by readings, speaking and a promenade con- 
cert, which closed the services of this interesting occasion. 

The cost of this fine hall, including the location, was not far 
from $25,000. 



43« 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 




SARGENT HALL. 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 439 

William P. Sargent, Esq., the liberal donor of the public hall, 
was born in Amesbury November 24th, 181 9, and was the old- 
est son of Patten Sargent, Esq. Mr. Sargent received a good 
education, attending the public schools in his native town and, 
also, the academies at Atkinson, Hampton and Derry, N. H. 
After thus completing his education, he served an apprentice- 
ship at carriage building in his father's shop. After completing 
his term here, he entered his father's store as clerk, and 
was subsequently admitted to a partnership in the carriage 
business with his father, which arrangement continued for 
several years. Subsequently he entered a firm for manufactur- 
ing carriages and dealing in supplies at Providence, R. I., and 
Taunton, Massachusetts, of which he became the principal man- 
ager. He now formed an extensive acquaintance with the dis- 
tributors of the products of carriage factories throughout the 
country, and obtained that kind and amount of information, 
which gave him abundant mental capital for the establishment 
of his own great enterprise. 

In 1 85 1 Mr. Sargent estalished himself in Boston, and, pro- 
curing a depot at the corner 'of Sudbury and Friend streets, 
formed a copartnership with Mr. William Gunnison and Mr. 
William H. Haskell under the firm name of Sargent, Gunnison 
& Company, and, as the result of hard work and great experi- 
ence, built up a large business and established an enviable rep- 
utation. 

His main office still remains at the same place, although the 
premises have been enlarged from time to time, as his increas- 
ing business required, until they now show a frontage of one 
hundred and seventy feet on Sudbury street and one hundred 
and thirty feet on Friend street. 

Just previous to the war, Messrs. Gunnison and Haskell 
retired from the firm. Before the close of the war Mr. Sargent 
found his business extending and new markets constantly open- 
ing. 

In 1867 the firm opened a repository in the marble block 
No. 155 Tremont street, one of the finest and most complete 
carriage warerooms in the country. But even with this addi- 



44-0 HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 

tional capacity, which gave a floor area of fifty thousand square 
feet, the requirement for more room soon became apparent, 
and Mr. Sargent, a few years later, added to this already exten- 
sive establishment a capacious brick structure at Nos. 53 and 
55 Portland street, adjoining and communicating with the Sud- 
bury and Friend street estates. 

Several changes have occurred in the personnel of the firm 
since the first organization of the company, but, in all these 
years, Mr. Sargent has retained the active management of 
affairs, save for a few months, while he was in Europe not long 
since. During the last twenty-five years he has resided in Boston, 
but his interest in his native town has never in the least abated. 
Having by his more than ordinary business talent and energy 
acquired a competency, and, more than that, Mr. Sargent has 
remembered his native town by building this costly hall, which 
will serve as a memento of his generosity for ages to come. 

The establishment of a library for the use of the citizens was 
the next important step taken. As a basis for a future library, 
Dr. J. R. Nichols generously offered to donate one thousand 
volumes, which were readily accepted at a public meeting held 
August 21st, and Patten Sargent, J. A. Lanckester, John S. 
Poyen, James R. Nichols, William H. Hubbard and William 
Chase were appointed trustees. 

• 1877. 

The public library, having been properly prepared for public 
use, was dedicated on the 10th of May, 1877, when services 
were held in Sargent's Hall. It was a very interesting occasion 
and the large number of citizens assembled were addressed by 
Rev. W. H. Hubbard, who was president on the occasion, Dr. 
J. R. Nichols, Mayor Jenness and Rev. Dr. Seeley, of Haver- 
hill. This library contains three thousand, two hundred vol- 
umes of well selected books, well arranged in the nicely-fitted 
library room, in the rear right hand corner of the Town Hall. 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 



44' 





Dr. Nichols, the founder of the library, is the son of the late 
Stephen Nichols, Esq., of West Amesbury, ( now . Merrimac ) and 
was born July 19th, 18 19. He worked on his father's farm till 
he was seventeen years old, when he went to Haverhill and 
entered as clerk the apothecary store of his uncle, Mr. Moses 
Nichols. He had no opportunities for education, except such 
as the district school afforded three months in the winter. He 

56 



442 HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 

is self educated and has gained knowledge by working every 
hour of leisure, day and night, for more than forty years. 

In 1 84 1 he commenced the study of medicine and attended 
medical lectures at Dartmouth college in 1842. The degree of 
M. D. was conferred upon him by this college, and, also, in 
1867 the honorary degree of Master of Arts. Entering into 
the drug business in Haverhill in 1843, ^ e continued there 
until 1856, when, after returning- from a visit to Europe in 
1856-7, he removed to Boston and established himself as a 
manufacturing chemist, doing an extensive business with all sec- 
tions of the country. After returning from a second visit to 
Europe in 1872, he relinquished business in Boston and returned 
to Haverhill. 

Dr. Nichols found time during his business career to write 
books, give attention to inventions and discovery, lecture fre- 
quently upon science, art, agriculture, etc., and serve in various 
public and private capacities, involving trust and responsibility. 

He is the author of two well-known books, "Fireside Science" 
and "Chemistry of the Farm," published prior to 1872. The 
records of the Patent Office show that nine patents have been 
granted to him in twenty years, most of which are inventions 
in scientific apparatus and new methods of chemical manipula- 
tion. In 1865 Dr. Nichols established the popular scientific 
journal : " Boston Journal of Chemistry," which he has contin- 
ued to edit since that time, a period of sixteen years. Since 
relinquishing chemical manufacturing in Boston, much of his 
time has been devoted to railroad management. He served as 
president of the Vermont & Canada railroad for five years, from 
1873 to 1878, and he has been director in the Boston & Maine 
railroad since 1873. In 1867 he was appointed by the late 
George Peabody, Esq., of London, one of his trustees of the 
Essex fund, and is now a trustee of the Peabody Academy of 
Science. 

Dr. Nichols has been prominent in agricultural matters for 
many years, and was appointed by Governor Rice a member of 
the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture in 1878. Although 
never in robust health, the record of his life shows it to have 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 443 

been a busy one, and the record affords interest and encour- 
agement to young men in indigent circumstances and illustrates 
the power of industry, perseverance and study to promote suc- 
cess in life. He now resides at Haverhill, spending the sum- 
mers at his farm near the city. 

The town is favorably situated for business, having a branch 
railroad connecting with the Boston & Maine railroad at New- 
ton Junction, N. H., which affords ready communication with 
the great business centres of the country. The principal busi- 
ness is the manufacture of carriages, which are shipped to 
nearly all parts of the world. A great variety of carriages are 
manufactured, some of which are of very expensive workman- 
ship and finish. The Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 
1848 for the manufacture of carriage wheels, many years since 
added the manufacture of carriage parts, and the extensive 
demand for their goods has made the establishment a profitable 
investment. For nearly a quarter of a century the late Mr. T. 
T. Merrill was agent of the company. At his death his son. 
Mr. F. S. Merrill, was appointed to the vacant position. 

The Merino Shoe Company is, also, giving employment to a 
large number of hands and producing a large amount of goods, 
which find a ready market in the country. 

Mr. Phineas Chase continues the manufacture of earthen ware, 
which his father commenced more than half a century ago at 
the River. 

Merrimacport is, also, the chief depot for the large amount 
of coal used in town, which is brought there by water and 
then carted to the consumers. 

This section is very pleasant in summer, when the river is 
alive with steamers and boats. More than a score of steamers 
are busy on the river, many of which carry pleasure parties from 
the cities up river to Black Rocks, touching at the wharf here 
for passengers, and each succeeding year will add to the num- 
ber of boats and passengers. 

Merrimac has four meeting houses, viz. : Congregationalist, 
Baptist, Universalist at the Centre village and Baptist at the 
Port. There are, also, Catholic services held each Sabbath 



444 HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 

morning in town by the pastor of St. Joseph church at the 
Mills. At Merrimacport a Methodist society has recently been 
organized, which holds meetings in Citizens' Hall. 

There are seven school-houses in town, viz. : High school 
building at Merrimac Centre, Bear Hill, Highlands, Birching 
Meadow, Landing and two at Merrimacport. The school at the 
Landing has been discontinued, there not being a sufficient num- 
ber of scholars in the vicinity to require one. There are at 
present ten schools in town. 

During the early days of the settlement, " Jamaco " suffered 
from Indian raids, as well as other sections of the town, and it 
has been asserted that Capt. Foot was taken prisoner on one 
of their incursions and tortured to death ; but this tradition may 
be considered doubtful. It was not an uncommon thing for 
the people to flee to "Capt. Foot's fort" for protection, when 
danger of this kind threatened. Edward Cottle, one of the first 
eighteen, settled near Cottle's landing, and was so much troubled 
by Indians that he became discouraged, sold out and left for 
Dukes county. He had two houses burnt, one by Indians and 
the other by accident. On an alarm by the Indians in 1722, 
all fled to the fort, and it was on this occasion that a descend- 
ant of Edward Cottle : Anna Cottle, was born, who lived nearly 
a century. John Hoyt, 2d, was robbed and plundered by Indi- 
ans, he says, and it is very probable that but scanty accounts 
and traditions have reached us at the present day of those early 
troubles and trials. For the protection of "Birching Meadow" 
people, a garrison house was built on land recently owned by 
the late Enos Heath. 

The surface of the town is somewhat broken by numerous 
hills scattered over the territory, but there are many good farms 
which are well cultivated. Near the Landing district the ledge 
which underlies most of the territory in this region, crops out 
on the bank of the river and affords an abundance of valuable 
material for building purposes. When the Chain bridge was 
building at Deer island in 1792, Mr. John Merrill, who then 
lived in the vicinity of Hon. William Nichols', boated immense 
quantities of stone from this ledge to sink the piers. Mr. Mer- 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 445 

rill owned the ledge and planted the large orchard on his home- 
stead, which was subsequently purchased by Mr. Nichols, and is 
now in the possession of his son, George W. Nichols, Esq. 

There are two extensive plains in town : one near the Con- 
gregational church, which, in " y e olden time," was noted for 
its fort, meeting-house, burying ground and training ground, 
and the second was near Tappan Emery's and the eastern cem- 
etery, more especially noted for the "Great Trainings," which 
were sometimes held there, and, also, for Indian relics. 

At one period the tanning and currying business was carried 
on extensively at Merrimacport by Charles L. Rowell, Esq., and 
others. A dam was built across the small stream sometimes 
called "Patten's Creek," which gave good opportunity for grind- 
ing bark and pursuing the business. Lately, however, but little 
has been done and the business with a few exceptions has died 
out in the county. A little farther up the stream a second dam 
was built a few years ago, and the establishment known as 
"Wright's Mill," erected for planing and mechanical purposes. 
This building was subsequently purchased by Alfred W. Morrill 
& Company for the purpose of manufacturing wheels. It has 
since been washed away by the breaking of the dam, and at 
present remains unoccupied. 

Rev. W. H. Hubbard was installed pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church and society September 7th. 

John S. Poyen, Esq., commenced building a large hotel the 
present fall. It is a fine building, three stories high, and will 
afford such accommodations as have long been needed. It is 
now known as the Monomack House. 

1878. 

The Congregational society was incorporated this year under 
the title of "The First Orthodox Congregational Society of 
Merrimac." The church was, also, remodeled internally, with 
new walls, re-seating and frescoing, giving it the appearance of 
a new and elegant room. It was re-dedicated on the first day 
of January, 1879, P r °f- H. B. Smith preaching the sermon. 



446 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 




MERR1MAC CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 



1879. 

Nov. i st. The house of Andrew Brown caught fire and was 
entirely consumed. This was an ancient house and for many 
years known as the "Joseph Hoyt" house, he owning and occu- 
pying it. 

1880. 
Capt. Joseph W. Sargent died January 3d. When the call 
came for volunteers to put down the rebellion which had com- 
menced at the South, he at once offered his services to his 
country, and was chosen captain of the company organized at 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 447 

West Amesbury. The company was mustered into service forth- 
with and ordered to the front in season to take part in the 
battle of Bull Run, July 21st, and with the shattered army 
retreated to Washington. January 1st, 1862, the company was 
transferred from the Fourteenth Regiment to the First Regiment 
of Heavy Artillery and stationed for the protection of Washing- 
ton. On the 24th of December, 1863, Captain Sargent resigned 
on account of poor health and was subsequently appointed post- 
master at West Amesbury, which office he held until failing 
health in 1876 compelled him to resign. He was frequently 
chosen moderator of town meetings, for which office he was 
well fitted. He was one of the numerous descendants of Wil- 
liam Sargent, 1st. 

John S. Poyen, Esq., a prominent business man in town, died 
February 2 2d, at Point Petre, Guadaloupe, West Indies, whither 
he had gone to visit his friends. The news of his death was 
sad in the extreme to his family and numerous friends, who were 
expecting his return in a few weeks. For many years he had 
been an extensive dealer in carriage supplies, and his strict 
devotion to business had enabled him to accumulate a large 
property. His fine residence on Main street is among the best 
in the village. In matters of public interest he was among the 
first to contribute, and his loss will be very sensibly felt. For 
the public convenience he built the large hotel on Main street. 
In various ways Mr. Poyen has contributed largely towards beau- 
tifying and improving the village. He was of French descent, 
his father removing from the West Indies to East Haverhill 
many years ago, where Mr. Poyen was born in 18 18. 

The population of Merrimac by the census of 1880 was 
two thousand, two hundred and thirty-seven. 

POST- OFFICE AT MERRIMAC. 

The post-office here was established about 1824 and kept in 
the little yellow building which stood nearly in front of Good- 
win and Cleary's block. Col. Edmund Sargent was the first 
postmaster, holding the office many years. His son. Orlando 
H. Sargent, rode to the Mills on horseback for the mail and 
brought it along in his hat. After a while the service was 



44 8 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 



improved by substituting saddle bags for the hat, and, finally, 
the two-wheel chaise was called into the service and continued 
for several years. Mr. Stephen Patten was the next incumbent, and 
his successor was Col. Stephen Bailey, who held the office until 
Buchanan's administration, when Mr. J.W. M. Hunt was appointed, 
who held the office until the appointment of Mr. Bailey Sar- 
gent in 1 86 1. Mr. Sargent held the office about two years and 
then resigned to enter the army, when his sister, Miss Jane 
Sargent, was appointed, aud held the office until the close of 
the war. Mr. John S. Poyen was the next postmaster, hold- 
ing the office until the appointment of Capt. Joseph W. Sar- 
gent. In 1876 Capt. Sargent resigned on account of failing 
health, and Mr. George E. Ricker, the present incumbent, 
was appointed. The office is now permanently located in the 
Town Hall. 

POST-OFFICE AT MERRIMACPORT. 

This office was established in 1857, Mr. Ebenezer Fulling- 
ton being the first postmaster. After about two years Mr. 
Fullington resigned, and Patten Sargent, was appointed post- 
master, holding the office six years, when he resigned and 
Charles E. Rowell, Esq., was appointed, who still holds the 
office. 



STATISTICS OF THE CARRIAGE BUSINESS IN MERRIMAC FOR I< 





v5 


t/5 


a 


s 






bo 

a 


.2 











« V 


3 


c/) 




x> 


5 


& • 


<U 


Names. 


14-c 




°l 




3 H 








u O 


■° 




£ 


<L> 2 


<D i— 






3 



s 


■sS 


n Oh 

3 <o 






< 


£ 


fc 


£ 


J. A. Lanckester, 


$ 50,000 


325 


30 


1858 


J. B. Judkins, 


45,000 


165 


30 


1857 


C. H. Noyes, 




75 


15 


1846 


Gunnison & Co., 


25,000 


100 


15 


1879 


S. C. Pease & Son, 


60,000 


200 


40 


1860 


Elmer P. Sargent, 


25,000 


125 


20 


1871 


H. G. & H. W. Stevens, 


80,000 


200 


50 


1869 


M. G. Clement & Son, 


32,000 


130 


22 


1850 


A. M. Colby, 


28,000 


160 


IS 


1879 


Willis P. Sargent, 


17,500 


100 


10 


1835 


William Chase, 


10,000 


40 


8 


1838 



GENERAL MATTERS. 



FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MERRIMAC. 

This bank was incorporated in 1864 with a capital of $50,000, 
which was increased to $75,000 in July of the same year. In 
November, 1864, it was extended to $100,000; in July, 1872, 
to $150,000, and in May, 1875, to $200,000. The total earn- 
ings amount to $259,341.32; total dividends, $208,250; undi- 
vided profits, $6,091.32 ; loans, $289,712.52 ; deposits, $76,089.28. 
William H. Haskell, president ; D. J. Poor, cashier. 

MERRIMAC SAVINGS BANK. 

This bank was incorporated in 1871. Its whole amount of 
deposits is $193,556.28 ; number of depositors, 1049 ; surplus, 
$2,438,85. William H. Haskell, president; D. J. Poor, treasurer. 

MERRIMAC MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 

This company was incorporated in 1848, with a capital ol 
$40,250. The amount of business done in 1880 was $75,266: 
number of hands employed, 35 ; number of sets of wheels made, 
4094 ; number of sets of parts, 3800. F. S. Merrill, agent. 

MERINO SHOE COMPANY. 

This company was incorporated in 1876, with a capital of 
$40,000. Its business in 1880 amounted to $100,000; number 
of hands employed, 75 ; number of pairs of boots and shoes 
made, 90,000. A. A. Hawley, agent. 

AXLE FACTORY. 

This factory commenced business about the year 1834. Jon- 
athan B. Sargent, Esq., started the manufacture of axles at West 
Amesbury, and afterwards added the manufacture of steel car- 
riage springs. Mr. Richard Stoyles was an experienced work- 
man in the latter branch and continued in Mr. Sargent's employ 
many years. The Merino Shoe Company now occupy the fac- 
tory where Mr. Sargent managed a profitable business for many 
years, manufacturing axles and springs. 

57 



45 O HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. 

WEST AMESBURY BRANCH RAILROAD. 

This company was incorporated May 8th, 1868, with a capital 
of $1 14,000. It was opened for public use in 1872, and leased 
to the Boston & Maine railroad for ninety-nine years from Jan- 
uary 1st, 1873. The directors are William H. Haskell, J. S. 
Poyen, I. B. Little, Francis Sargent and J. P. Sargent. Presi- 
dent, William H. Haskell • treasurer, J. S. Poyen. 

NIAGARA ENGINE COMPANY. 

There is a membership of 49 ; number of feet of hose, 2200 ; 
captain, Andrew D. Lawson. 

FIRE DISTRICT. 

This district was organized in 1872, and embraces the entire 
centre village. Chief engineer, J. T. Locke ; assistants, E. N. 
Sargent, John S. Foster, D. W. Gould and Bailey Sargent ; clerk, 
G. E. Ricker. 

AGILE ENGINE COMPANY, MERRIMACPORT. 

This company has a membership of forty. Philip J. Neal is 
captain. 

BETHANY LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. 

This lodge was chartered in 1869. The membership num- 
bers one hundred and eighteen, and their meetings are held in 
Masonic Hall. R. H. Sargent is the Worshipful Master. 

COLONEL C. R. MUDGE POST, NO. I 14, G. A. R. 

This post was established December 31st, 1869. Its present 
officers are Charles I. Churchill, commander ; Frank Wiggin, 
senior vice-commander ; Charles P. Baker, junior vice-com- 
mander ; W. A. Howe, quarter-master ; W. H. Blodgett, officer 
of the day ; H. J. Cushing, surgeon ; W. H. Thomas, chap- 
lain ; Bailey Sargent, adjutant ; CO. Roberts, sergeant-major ; 
J. W. Hunt, quarter-master-sergeant. Their meetings are held 
at Coliseum Hall. 

RIVERSIDE LODGE OF ODD FELLOWS. 

This lodge was organized December 3d, 1875. It has a 
membership of one hundred and thirty. Its funds amount to 



HISTORY OF MERRIMAC. t 45 1 

$2534.48, and Masonic Hall, in Goodwin & Cleary's block, is 
their place of meeting. William M. Chase is Noble Grand. 

MERRIMACPORT TEMPERANCE REFORM CLUB. 

This club was/ organized in January, 1876. It has seven 
hundred and thirty members. Their meetings are held every 
Wednesday evening. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

This association was organized January 19th, 1867. Its first 
officers were J. D. Pike, president ; B. A. Kelley and Isaac 
Jones, vice-presidents ; Elmer P. Sargent, secretary and treas- 
urer ; A. A. Nichols, corresponding secretary. A free reading 
room was established and is yet maintained. Prayer meetings 
are held every Sabbath evening at the rooms. 

Clergymen : Congregational, Rev. W. H. Hubbard ; Baptist, 
( Merrimac centre) Rev. Mr. Fish and ( Merrimacport ) Rev. 
J. H. Seaver; Methodist, Rev. C. H. Chase. 

Physicians : Drs. H. J. Cushing, E. D. White and W. H. 
Gerrish. 

Dentist : . Dr. E. Briggs. 

Trial justice : M. P. Sargent. 

Counsellor and attorney at law : Thomas H. Hoyt. 

Selectmen : Edmund N. Sargent, Charles E. Rowell and 
Albert Sargent. 

School committee : Charles Hubbard, Henry Haskell and 
H. J. Cushing. 

Town clerk, treasurer and collector : Bailey Sargent. 

High school teacher : Frank Wiggin. 



